Northwest trout found carrying new disease

by Kevin Rose
— July 30, 2012

Scientists have found evidence of piscine reovirus (PRV) in 13 out of 15 cutthroat trout caught in Cultus Lake, British Columbia. The virus has previously been identified in salmon where it is linked with heart and muscle inflammation (HSMI) disease which can kill up to 20% of infected fish. PRV has previously been associated with farmed fish and may spread from farms to wild fish nearby. It is feared that the virus could devastate trout fisheries in lakes and rivers throughout the northwest.