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At least 1,279 records · Page 71Linked to original sources
USGS2010

Occurrence of avian Plasmodium and West Nile virus in culex species in Wisconsin

The occurrence of multiple pathogens in mosquitoes and birds could affect the dynamics of disease transmission. We collected adult Culex pipiens and Cx. restuans (Cx. pipiens/restuans hereafter) from sites in Wisconsin and tested them for West Nile virus (WNV) and for avian malaria (Plasmodium). Gravid Cx. pipiens/restuans were tested for WNV using a commercial immunoassay, the RAMP?? WNV test, and positive results were verified by reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction. There were 2 WNV-positive pools of Cx. pipiens/restuans in 2006 and 1 in 2007. Using a bias-corrected maximum likelihood estimation, the WNV infection rate for Cx. pipiens/restuans was 5.48/1,000 mosquitoes in 2006 and 1.08/1,000 mosquitoes in 2007. Gravid Cx. pipiens or Cx. restuans were tested individually for avian Plasmodium by a restriction enzymebased assay. Twelve mosquitoes were positive for avian Plasmodium (10.0), 2 were positive for Haemoproteus, and 3 were positive for Leucocytozoon. There were 4 mixed infections, with mosquitoes positive for >1 of the hemosporidian parasites. This work documents a high rate of hemosporidian infection in Culex spp. and illustrates the potential for co-infections with other arboviruses in bird-feeding mosquitoes and their avian hosts. In addition, hemosporidian infection rates may be a useful tool for investigating the ecological dynamics of Culex/avian interactions. ?? 2010 by The American Mosquito Control Association, Inc.

Wisconsin↗
USGS2008

Fisheries and aquatic resources—fish health

Fish health research at Leetown had its origin in the 1930’s when the Leetown Fish Hatchery and Experiment Station was constructed. In 1978, the National Fish Health Research Laboratory, now a component of the Leetown Science Center, was established to solve emerging and known disease problems affecting fish and other aquatic organisms critical to species restoration programs. Center scientists develop methods for the isolation, detection, and identification of fish pathogens and for prevention and control of fish diseases.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS1998

Windrow composting as an effective method to dispose of large numbers of fish

During July 1998, at the USGS Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, West Virginia, an epizootic occurred in 16-month-old Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The cause ofmortality was diagnosed as furunculosis, a serious disease in salmonid fishes caused by the bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida. The fish were being maintained as part ofongoing research and were held in uncovered 30-m-Iong concrete raceways, each supplied with about 757 L per minute of 12 ?C pathogen-free spring water. The means by which the fish became infected could not be determined, and there was no recent history offurunculosis in the hatchery system.

Biological Information and Technology Notes↗
USGS2006

Disease emergence and resurgence—the wildlife-human connection

In 2000, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) was organized as a global disease watchdog group to coordinate disease outbreak information and health crisis response. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the headquarters for this network. Understandably, the primary focus for WHO is human health. However, diseases such as the H5N1 avian influenza epizootic in Asian bird populations demonstrate the need for integrating knowledge about disease emergence in animals and in humans. Aside from human disease concerns, H5N1 avian influenza has major economic consequences for the poultry industry worldwide. Many other emerging diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), monkeypox, Ebola fever, and West Nile fever, also have an important wildlife component. Despite these wildlife associations, the true integration of the wildlife component in approaches towards disease emergence remains elusive. This separation between wildlife and other species’ interests is counterproductive because the emergence of zoonotic viruses and other pathogens maintained by wildlife reservoir hosts is poorly understood. This book is about the wildlife component of emerging diseases. It is intended to enhance the reader’s awareness of the role of wildlife in disease emergence. By doing so, perhaps a more holistic approach to disease prevention and control will emerge for the benefit of human, domestic animal, and free-ranging wildlife populations alike. The perspectives offered are influenced by more than four decades of my experiences as a wildlife disease practitioner. Although wildlife are victims to many of the same disease agents affecting humans and domestic animals, many aspects of disease in free-ranging wildlife require different approaches than those commonly applied to address disease in humans or domestic animals. Nevertheless, the broader community of disease investigators and health care professionals has largely pursued a separatist approach for human, domestic animal, and wildlife rather than embracing the periodically proposed concept of “one medicine.” We especially need to embrace this concept as the human population increases because there will be more contact, direct and indirect, among humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. An “Ecology for a Crowded Planet” will be an even more pressing concern, and that includes increasing our understanding of disease ecology, especially that of the zoonoses.

Circular↗
USGS2007

Characterization of flood sediments from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and potential implications for human health and the environment

The flooding in the greater New Orleans, La., area that resulted from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August and September 2005 left behind accumulations of sediments up to many centimeters thick on streets, lawns, parking lots, and other flat surfaces (fig. 1). During the flood dewatering and subsequent cleanup, there were concerns that these sediments might contain pathogens and chemical contaminants that would pose a health risk to emergency responders, cleanup workers, and local residents who came into contact with the wet sediments or inhaled dusts generated from dried sediments. In response to these concerns, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists and colleagues characterized the potential environmental and health hazards of hurricane flood sediments from the greater New Orleans and Slidell, La., area.

Louisiana↗
USGS2023

Distribution and demography of coastal Cactus Wrens ( Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) in San Diego County, California—2022 data summary

We surveyed for coastal Cactus Wren ( Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) in 507 established plots in San Diego County in 2022, encompassing 4 genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, Sweetwater/Encanto, and San Pasqual). Two surveys were completed at each plot between March 1 and July 31. Cactus Wrens were detected in 214 plots (42 percent of plots). Cactus Wrens were detected in 31 percent of plots that have been consistently surveyed since 2020, indicating less plot occupancy than in 2021 (34 percent) and 2020 (35 percent). There were 202 Cactus Wren territories detected across all survey plots in 2022. In plots that have been consistently surveyed since 2020, we documented 94 territories, which is a decrease from 113 territories in 2021 and 109 in 2020. The number of territories declined from 2021 to 2022 in the Lake Jennings and Otay genetic clusters but remained virtually the same in the Sweetwater/Encanto genetic cluster. At least 78 percent of Cactus Wren territories were occupied by pairs, and 134 fledglings were observed in 2022. We observed 24 banded Cactus Wrens in 2022, 20 of which we could identify individually by band combination. Adults of known age ranged from 3 to at least 7 years old. All individually identifiable adult Cactus Wrens remained on the same territory in 2022 that they occupied in 2021, and we detected no movement of banded Cactus Wrens between genetic clusters. Vegetation at Cactus Wren survey plots was dominated by coastal sage scrub shrubs, such as California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), lemonadeberry ( Rhus integrifolia ), jojoba ( Simmondsia chinensis ), and San Diego sunflower ( Bahiopsis laciniata ). No definitive signs of fungal pathogens were observed on cactus within and around survey plots. Blue elderberry ( Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea ) was detected at 39 percent of plots, and Cactus Wrens occupied proportionally more plots with elderberry than plots without elderberry. Very little dead or unhealthy cactus was observed within all survey plots, and the plots that were occupied by Cactus Wrens were likely to contain fewer dead cactus than plots that were not occupied by Cactus Wrens. Almost 80 percent of plots had more than 5 percent of cactus crowded or overtopped by vines and shrubs. Similar to 2020, Cactus Wrens occupied proportionally more plots with 5 percent or less of cactus crowded or overtopped by vines and shrubs, although this pattern was not observed in 2021. Non-native annual cover was less prevalent in survey plots in 2022 than in 2021, and Cactus Wrens did not preferentially occupy survey plots with 5 percent or less non-native annual cover than plots with more non-native cover.

California↗
USGS2024

Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2023 Data Summary

Executive Summary We surveyed for coastal Cactus Wren ( Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) in 507 established plots in San Diego County in 2023, encompassing 4 genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, Sweetwater/Encanto, and San Pasqual). Two surveys were completed at each plot between March 1 and July 31. Cactus Wrens were detected in 181 plots (36 percent of plots). Cactus Wrens were detected in 26 percent of plots that have been consistently surveyed since 2020, indicating lower plot occupancy than in 2022 (31 percent), 2021 (34 percent), and 2020 (35 percent). There were 158 Cactus Wren territories detected across all survey plots in 2023. In plots that have been consistently surveyed since 2020, we documented 85 territories, which is a decrease from 94 territories in 2022, 113 territories in 2021, and 109 territories in 2020. The number of territories declined from 2022 to 2023 in the Lake Jennings, Sweetwater/Encanto, and San Pasqual genetic clusters but remained virtually the same in the Otay genetic cluster. At least 80 percent of Cactus Wren territories were occupied by pairs, and 125 fledglings were observed in 2023. We observed 14 banded Cactus Wrens in 2023, 9 of which we could identify individually by color band combination. Adults of known age ranged from 4 to 7 years old. All individually identifiable adult Cactus Wrens occupied the same territory in 2023 that they occupied in 2022, and we detected no movement of banded Cactus Wrens between genetic clusters. Vegetation at Cactus Wren survey plots was dominated by coastal sage scrub shrubs, such as California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), lemonade berry ( Rhus integrifolia ), jojoba ( Simmondsia chinensis ), and San Diego viguiera ( Bahiopsis laciniata ). No definitive signs of fungal pathogens were observed on cactus within and around survey plots. Blue elderberry ( Sambucus mexicana ) was detected at 41 percent of plots, and Cactus Wrens occupied proportionally more plots with elderberry than plots without elderberry. Very little dead or unhealthy cactus was observed within all survey plots, and Cactus Wren occupancy did not differ between plots with high or low amounts of dead or unhealthy cactus. Almost 90 percent of plots had more than 5 percent of cactus crowded or overtopped by vines and shrubs, and Cactus Wren occupancy did not differ between plots with high or low amounts of cactus crowded or overtopped by vines and shrubs. Non-native annual cover was more prevalent in survey plots in 2023 than in 2022. Cactus Wrens did not select or avoid plots with more non-native cover.

California↗
USGS2025

Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2024 data summary

Executive Summary We surveyed for coastal Cactus Wren ( Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) in 507 established plots in San Diego County in 2024, encompassing four genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, Sweetwater/Encanto, and San Pasqual). Of the 507 plots, 376 have been surveyed every year starting in 2020. Two surveys were completed at each plot between March 1 and July 31, 2024. Cactus Wrens were detected in 216 plots (43 percent of plots). Cactus Wrens were detected in 34 percent of the plots that have been consistently surveyed since 2020, indicating a higher plot occupancy rate than in 2023 (26 percent) and a similar plot occupancy rate to 2022 (31 percent), 2021 (34 percent), and 2020 (35 percent). There were 175 Cactus Wren territories detected across all survey plots in 2024. We documented 111 territories in the plots that have been consistently surveyed since 2020, which is an increase from 85 territories in 2023 and from 94 territories in 2022, and similar to the number of territories documented in 2021 (113) and 2020 (109). The number of territories declined from 2023 to 2024 in the San Pasqual genetic cluster but increased in the Otay, Lake Jennings, and Sweetwater/Encanto genetic clusters. At least 86 percent of Cactus Wren territories were occupied by pairs, and 176 fledglings were observed in 2024. We observed six banded Cactus Wrens in 2024, all of which we could identify individually by color band combination. Adults of known age ranged from 5 to 8 years old. All individually identifiable adult Cactus Wrens occupied the same territory in 2024 that they occupied during 2022 or 2023. We detected no movement of banded Cactus Wrens between genetic clusters during 2024. Vegetation at Cactus Wren survey plots was dominated by coastal sage scrub shrubs, such as California sagebrush ( Artemisia californica ), California buckwheat ( Eriogonum fasciculatum ), lemonade berry ( Rhus integrifolia ), San Diego County sunflower ( Bahiopsis laciniata ), and laurel sumac ( Malosma laurina ). Cactus Wrens preferentially occupied plots dominated by California buckwheat in the Otay genetic cluster and avoided plots dominated by lemonade berry (results of this test were marginally significant). Cactus Wrens also appeared to prefer plots dominated by broom baccharis ( Baccharis sarothroides ) in the Sweetwater/Encanto cluster and plots dominated by California buckwheat in the San Pasqual genetic cluster, although these preferences were marginally statistically significant. No definitive signs of fungal pathogens were observed on cactus within and around survey plots. Blue elderberry ( Sambucus mexicana ) was detected at 43 percent of plots, and Cactus Wrens preferentially occupied more plots with elderberry than were available. Very little dead or unhealthy cactus was observed within all survey plots, and Cactus Wrens preferentially occupied plots with lower amounts of dead and unhealthy cactus than were available. Over 80 percent of plots had more than 5 percent of cactus crowded or overtopped by vines and shrubs, and Cactus Wren occupied plots in proportion to the degree of shrub and vine crowding or overtopping. Non-native annual cover was less prevalent in survey plots in 2024 than in 2023, and Cactus Wrens preferentially occupied plots with less non-native cover.

California↗
USGS2018

Pesticide inputs to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, 2015–16: Results from the Delta Regional Monitoring Program

Emergent hypotheses about causes of the pelagic organism decline in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (Delta) indicate that a more complete understanding of the quality of water entering the Delta is needed. Less than half of all pesticides used in the Delta watershed are measured in samples collected for routine monitoring, and with new pesticides continually being registered for use, the concentrations of unmonitored pesticides in the Delta ecosystem are unknown. In response, a multi-year, cooperative effort to improve monitoring of mercury, nutrients, pathogens, and pesticides was begun by the Delta Regional Monitoring Program (RMP). In July 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Delta RMP began measuring concentrations of 154 pesticide compounds in monthly samples of surface water and suspended sediment collected at five major inputs to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta from July 2015 to June 2016. In addition to pesticide concentration measurements, field water-quality indicators (water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity) were measured at each site and samples were collected for the analysis of dissolved organic carbon, dissolved copper, particulate organic carbon, particulate inorganic carbon, total particulate carbon, and total particulate nitrogen. Pesticide concentrations in particulates were measured in collected suspended-sediment samples by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, whereas concentrations measured in surface-water samples utilized a combination of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Samples were collected from two sites in the San Joaquin River watershed and at one site for each of the Mokelumne River, Sacramento River, and Ulatis Creek watersheds. All water samples contained mixtures of 2–25 pesticides. Pesticides were detected in 100 percent of surface-water samples. A total of 54 pesticide compounds were detected in water samples during the study period (19 fungicides, 18 herbicides, 9 insecticides, 7 breakdown products, and 1 synergist). The most frequently detected pesticide compounds were the herbicides hexazinone (95 percent) and diuron (73 percent) and the fungicides boscalid (93 percent) and azoxystrobin (75 percent). Pesticide concentrations ranged from below the method detection limits to 2,630 nanograms per liter for the herbicide metolachlor. A total of 11 pesticide compounds were detected in the suspended sediments filtered from water samples (6 herbicides, 3 insecticides, 1 fungicide, and 1 breakdown product). The most frequently detected compounds were the insecticides permethrin (7 percent) and bifenthrin (5 percent) and the herbicide pendimethalin (5 percent). Pesticide concentrations in the suspended-sediment ranged from below the method detection limit to 265 nanograms per liter for the herbicide pendimethalin.

California↗
USGS2002

Occurrence of bacteria in Blue Marsh Lake and selected tributaries, Berks County, Pennsylvania: September-October 2001

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has water-quality standards that limit the number of specific bacteria in water that is considered safe for recreational use. Bacteria such as fecal streptococci, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli (E. coli ) are used to assess recreational water quality because they usually live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Fecal indicator bacteria commonly are associated with waterborne disease-causing organisms (pathogens). These indicator bacteria are used routinely as a measure of the quality of water for recreational activities such as swimming, boating, and water skiing. If the indicator bacteria are present, effective measures could be taken to prevent the transmission or epidemic outbreak of waterborne diseases as a result of contamination of these waters from human or animal waste. Blue Marsh Lake is on Tulpehocken Creek in Berks County, Pa., and drains a largely agricultural basin. Land use in the basin is approximately 60 percent cropland, and 85 percent of the farms are livestock and poultry farms. The potential sources of fecal bacteria are: geese that inhabit the recreational areas of the lake, humans that visit the Dry Brooks Day Use Area (swimming area), and farm animals, wastewater facilities, and household septic systems in the basin (bacteria from these sources could enter the lake through tributaries). To meet the recreational water-quality standard, lake water may not have more than 200 colony-forming units (CFU) of fecal coliforms per 100 milliliters (mL). During the week of July 23, 2001, data collected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) at the swimming area at Blue Marsh Lake showed concentrations of fecal coliforms in the water exceeding the standard. To determine the extent of elevated concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria, further study of the lake and selected tributaries was needed.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1999

Delaware River Basin

During the past 25 years, industry and government have made large financial investments in manufacturing, processing, and wastewater-treatment facilities to reduce the amount of contaminants being discharged. Although these investments have led to improved water quality across the Nation, concerns about the effects of nutrients, toxins, and pathogens on human health and that of ecological communities remain. To address the need for consistent and scientifically sound information for managing the Nation's water resources, the U.S. Geological Survey began the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program in 1991. This program is unique in that it integrates surface- and ground-water-quality monitoring with the study of aquatic ecosystems. The goals of the NAWQA program are to (1) describe current water-quality conditions for a large part of the Nation's freshwater streams and aquifers (water-bearing sediments and rocks), (2) describe how water quality is changing over time, and (3) increase our understanding of the natural and human factors that affect water quality (Leahy and others, 1990, Gilliom and others, 1995). Assessing the quality of water in every location of the Nation would not be practical. Therefore, NAWQA investigations are conducted within 59 selected areas called study units (fig. 1). These study units encompass important river and aquifer systems in the United States and represent the diverse geographic, waterresource, land-use, and water-use characteristics of the Nation. The Delaware River Basin is one of 15 study units in which work began in 1996. Water-quality sampling in the study unit will begin in 1999. This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the NAWQA program, describes the Delaware River Basin study unit, identifies the major water-quality issues in the basin, and documents the plan of study that will be followed during the study-unit investigation.

Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylv↗
USGS1997

Great and Little Miami River Basins

Introduction Implementation of a National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program study in the The Great and Little Miami River Basins area will increase scientific understanding of natural processes and human activities that affect the quality of water in streams and aquifers. This information will benefit water-resource managers that need, but often lack, the data required to implement effective water-quality management actions and evaluate long-term changes in water quality. Water quality has improved significantly in the Great and Little Miami River Basins over the past few decades because of improvements in the treatment of municipal and industrial wastes. However, the effects of industrialization and urbanization on the quality of rivers and ground-water resources remain a priority concern of water-resource managers and planners, state and local governments, and citizen groups. Some of these effects relate to nonpoint sources of contaminants and are the subject of ongoing research and watershed management projects such as the Lower Great Miami Watershed Enhancement Program, the Little Miami Partnership, the Stillwater Watershed Project, Indian Lake Watershed Project, and the Miami Conservancy District's Groundwater 2000 Program. Water resource managers in the Great and Little Miami River Basins area are currently addressing the following water-quality issues: Contamination of the sole-source Miami Valley aquifer by syntheticorganic chemicals, trace elements, and radionuclides. Degradation of surface- and ground-water quality by urban and agricultural sources of fertilizers and pesticides. Assessing the relative importance of point and nonpoint sources to contaminant loads in the Great and Little Miami Rivers. Habitat degradation and decreases in stream biodiversity as a result ofurbanization Occurrence of water-borne pathogens in streams and shallow ground waterin rural and urban land-use settings. Effect of septic systems and combined sewer overflows on surface- andshallow ground-water quality. •Disruption and fragmentation of stream habitats by low dams and impoundments and their effects on fish and benthic invertebratecommunities.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2004

Science data in support of environmental health studies in the U.S.-Mexico border region

The border region of the United States and Mexico encompasses a vast and diverse array of physical settings and habitats that include wetlands, deserts, rangeland, mountains, and forests, which are unique in terms of the diversity of their water, mineral, and biological resources. The region is interconnected economically, politically, and socially owing to its binational heritage. In 1995, nearly 11 million people lived immediately adjacent to the border. By one account, that population could more than double by 2020. This rapid population growth and consequent economic development and land-use changes are pushing the limits of environmental sustainability and quality. Infrastructure development has lagged behind the rapid growth of the region, resulting in a shortage of water for municipal, agricultural, and industrial uses. These stressors threaten the quality of life in the region and raise concerns about the interdependence of environmental quality and human health. To allow for continued economic growth while protecting the area’s natural resources and fostering a high quality of life, the United States and Mexico need an improved understanding of the threats posed by these anthropogenic changes. Issues of particular concern include (1) contaminants in ground water, surface water, and biota from agricultural, municipal, and industrial activities; (2) airborne pollutants from fossil-fuel combustion and other activities; (3) contaminants from past and present mining activities and mineral deposits; and (4) pathogens, pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other contaminants released in treated and untreated human and animal wastewaters.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2007

Studies on Disinfection By-Products and Drinking Water

Drinking water is disinfected with chemicals to remove pathogens, such as Giardia and Cryptosproridium, and prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. During disinfection, by-products are formed at trace concentrations. Because some of these by-products are suspected carcinogens, drinking water utilities must maintain the effectiveness of the disinfection process while minimizing the formation of by-products.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2005

Fish can get diseases too

Infectious diseases are increasingly recognized as an important component of the ecology of fish in the wild. Many of the viral, bacterial, protozoan and fungal pathogens of fish that were initially discovered in captive fish have their origin among wild populations; however, the impact of disease among these free-ranging stocks has been difficult to study. At the WFRC, combinations of field and laboratory investigations, aided by the tools of molecular biology, have begun to provide information on the ecology of infectious diseases among natural populations of fish in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2007

Investigating the Environmental Effects of Agriculture Practices on Natural Resources: Scientific Contributions of the U.S. Geological Survey to Enhance the Management of Agricultural Landscapes

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) enhances and protects the quality of life in the United States by advancing scientific knowledge to facilitate effective management of hydrologic, biologic, and geologic resources. Results of selected USGS research and monitoring projects in agricultural landscapes are presented in this Fact Sheet. Significant environmental and social issues associated with agricultural production include changes in the hydrologic cycle; introduction of toxic chemicals, nutrients, and pathogens; reduction and alteration of wildlife habitats; and invasive species. Understanding environmental consequences of agricultural production is critical to minimize unintended environmental consequences. The preservation and enhancement of our natural resources can be achieved by measuring the success of improved management practices and by adjusting conservation policies as needed to ensure long-term protection.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2007

Detection of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is considered to be one of the most important viral pathogens of finfish and is listed as reportable by many nations and international organizations (Office International des Epizooties 2006). Prior to 1988, VHSV was thought to be limited to Europe (Wolf 1988; Smail 1999). Subsequently, it was shown that the virus is endemic among many marine and anadromous fish species in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans (Meyers and Winton 1995; Skall et al. 2005). Genetic analysis reveals that isolates of VHSV can be divided into four genotypes that generally correlate with geographic location with the North American isolates generally falling into VHSV Genotype IV (Snow et al. 2004). In 2005-2006, reports from the Great Lakes region indicated that wild fish had experienced disease or, in some cases, very large die-offs from VHSV (Elsayed et al. 2006, Lumsden et al. 2007). The new strain from the Great Lakes, now identified as VHSV Genotype IVb, appears most closely related to isolates of VHSV from mortalities that occurred during 2000-2004 in rivers and near-shore areas of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada (Gagne et al. 2007). The type IVb isolate found in the Great Lakes region is the only strain outside of Europe that has been associated with significant mortality in freshwater species.

Fact Sheet↗
USGS2007

Phage therapy for Florida corals?

Coral disease is a major cause of reef decline in the Florida Keys. Bacterium has been defined as the most common pathogen (disease-causing organism). Although much is being done to catalog coral diseases, map their locations, determine the causes of disease, or measure the rates of coral demise, very little research has been directed toward actually preventing or eliminating the diseases affecting coral and coral reef decline.

Fact Sheet↗