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Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia

VHS Animal Health Advisory August 2014

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS, has historically been considered the most serious viral disease of trout and salmon raised in freshwater environments in Europe. Only relatively recently has it emerged in freshwater fish in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada.

VHS is not a threat to human health; however, it poses a significant economic risk to private aquaculture.

VHS Susceptible Species include: Black crappie, Bluegill, Bluntnose minnow, Brown bullhead, Brown trout, Burbot, Channel catfish, Chinook salmon, Emerald shiner, Freshwater drum, Gizzard shad, Lake whitefish, Largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Shorthead redhorse, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rainbow trout, Rock bass, Round goby, Silver redhorse, Smallmouth bass, Spottail shiner, Trout-Perch, Walleye, White bass, White perch, Yellow perch

A state-issued permit is required to move VHS-susceptible species regardless of origin. Testing for VHS is only required for VHS-susceptible species from the Great Lakes Region which includes: Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Ontario, and Quebec.

VHS is a "reportable disease," which means it must be reported within 48 hours of diagnosis to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH).

Since spring 2005, a number of fish deaths have occurred in the Great Lakes Region in wild fish, including but not limited to muskellunge, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, crappie, gizzard shad, freshwater drum, round goby and other fish species. VHS has also been detected in samples of walleye, white bass and other species.

To this date VHS has not been detected in any fish originating from Indiana's inland waters. Help us protect Indiana's fish from VHS.