Micobacterium
and
Other Diseases
Several diseases, parasites, and other organisms are known to infect
saltwater fish in the Mid Atlantic region.
Micobacterium
Micobacterium is a serious problem that saltwater anglers
should be aware of. Micobacterium affects the
health of affected fish and can cause infections in humans.
The VIMS page recommends this:
"There is a slight potential for human infection from handling striped bass infected with
M. shottsii and other mycobacteria. Concern is warranted because M.
shottsii is closely related to M. marinum, a species known to pass from
infected fish to humans via handling. (M. marinum has also been isolated
from some Chesapeake Bay striped bass).
Anglers should thus:
- return any fish with skin lesions to the water
- wear gloves when handling striped bass
- take particular care if they have a cut, scrape, or abrasion on their hands or arms, and
- wash thoroughly with soap and water after coming into contact with fish or open water. "
The American Littoral Society offers similar advice and warns
against eating or handling the fish. They also request that anglers
provide pictures of infected fish when possible.
VIMS has instituted a fish tagging program to study striped bass
infected with micobacteriosis. If you catch a striped bass or "rockfish"
with a green tag, please call 1-866-845-3379
Pfiesteria
Pfiesteria is another organism that anglers
should be aware of. When pfiesteria outbreaks occur, nearby fish
populations are sometimes affected, possibly causing fish kills.
Controversy exists as to whether phiesteria affects humans.
Related Information
http://www.chesbay.org/lesions/
http://www.pfiesteria.org/
http://www.mdsg.umd.edu/pfiesteria/
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cblife/algae/dino/pfiesteria/monitoring_updates.html