Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship confirms whirling disease in Kootenay Lake; three trout samples test positive for fish parasite in southern arm

December 6, 2024 (press release) – INFORMATION BULLETIN For Immediate Release
2024WLRS0043-001641
Dec. 6, 2024 Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Whirling disease detected in Kootenay Lake

VICTORIA – Three trout samples taken from the southern arm of Kootenay Lake have tested positive for the parasite that causes whirling disease in juvenile fish.

Damage to the brain stem and spinal cord results in an erratic “whirling” swimming pattern.

These detections are the outcomes of enhanced whirling disease monitoring that the Province began earlier this year. This monitoring was done in partnership with First Nations, the Canadian Food and Inspections Agency (CFIA) and Parks Canada.

Kootenay Lake is one of the largest freshwater fisheries in B.C. and supports Gerrard rainbow trout and kokanee fisheries. These fish attract anglers from across North America.

It is unknown if there is any relation to detections in Yoho National Park, the site of the first confirmed detection of whirling disease in British Columbia. Provincial biologists are processing additional samples from the 2024 sampling season.

In response to these detections, B.C. will build on the actions taken, such as enforcing the new “Pull the Plug” regulatory requirements as part of the “Clean, Drain, Dry” decontamination program. In addition, B.C. is promoting the decontamination protocol and is further refining the provincial monitoring plan.

Whirling disease is not a health risk for humans or pets.

Whirling disease is caused by a parasite, Myxobolus cerebralis, that attacks the head, spine and nervous tissue of fish. When infected fish die, spores carrying the parasite are released into the water and seek out aquatic worms (hosts) to repeat the cycle. The presence of the parasite does not necessarily mean that fish populations will be adversely affected.

Whirling disease affects juvenile salmonid fish, including Pacific salmon and trout. There is no treatment, therefore containment and prevention are the best responses.

Whirling disease is a federally reportable disease. The CFIA has been notified of this recent detection in Kootenay Lake. The Province will continue to work closely with First Nations, the CFIA and Parks Canada on a series of responses, while the remaining samples are processed.

Adopting the “Clean, Drain, Dry” approach for all boats and equipment, such as waders, life jackets and kayaks, will help prevent the spread of whirling disease, together with never moving fish or fish parts from one waterbody to another.

Learn More:

Learn more about whirling disease and how it affects fish:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/fish/aquatic-species/aquatic-invasives/whirling-disease

Download the brochure about preventing the spread of whirling disease in B.C.:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/fish-fish-habitat/whirling-disease/whirling_disease_background_and_guidance_brochure.pdfQUICK FACTS The first case of whirling disease in B.C. was confirmed in Yoho National Park on December 6, 2023 (Columbia River Watershed). Containment and prevention is critical. It can be transmitted through spores that attach to equipment (used for swimming, paddling, boating, water pumping, fishing), pets, or through infected fish (alive or dead) and fish parts. There is currently no treatment available to eradicate whirling disease without also causing significant ecological impacts. There are no health concerns for people swimming in or drinking water that contains whirling disease. Whirling disease can cause significant mortality in susceptible fish populations (trout, salmon, whitefish). Not all fish populations are affected the same way. Whirling disease is caused by a parasite that has two hosts: a fish WHIRLING DISEASE and a freshwater worm. Stop the spread in B.C. Once inside the fish, the parasite affects cartilage, leading to deformities of the spine or skull, a whirl in movement, and/or a blackened tail. Diagnosing whirling disease requires laboratory testing. FOR MORE INFORMATION Response to Whirling Disease is a combined effort from both provincial and federal governments. B.C. Whirling Disease — https://gov.bc.ca/WhirlingDisease Parks Canada — https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/eaux-waters CFIA - Whirling Disease — https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/aquatic-animals/ diseases/reportable-diseases/whirling-disease/fact-sheet FURTHER CONTACTS B.C. e-mail — WhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca; Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line: 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) Published June 2024 WHIRLING DISEASE — Stop the spread in B.C. Pull the plug! It’s the law! In B.C., it is now illegal to transport your watercraft with the drain plug still in place. Before moving a boat or any equipment between water bodies, be sure to Clean Drain Dry. More than Boats The movement of infected fish, mud, and water can spread whirling disease. Boats Swimming floats Motors Coolers Boots Kayaks Waders Stand-up Paddleboards Bait buckets Swimsuits Whirling disease-clinical signs in trout CLEAN DRAIN DRY CLEAN DRAIN Clean and inspect all watercraft, trailers, and equipment Before leaving a waterbody, drain all water on dry land on dry land away from storm water drains, ditches and (including all internal compartments such as ballasts, waterways. bilges, and livewells), coolers, life jackets and other gear. Remove all mud, sand and plant materials before leaving Raise and lower outboard engines several times to the shore. ensure all water has drained out. Rinse or wash your boat and equipment away from storm Drain non-motorized watercraft by inverting or tilting drains, ditches or waterways. the watercraft, opening compartments and removing Bathe pets before allowing them to enter another seats if necessary. water body. Pull the plug! It’s the law! In B.C. it is now illegal to Never move fish or fish parts from one waterbody transport your watercraft with the drain plug still in place. to another. DRY Use fish-cleaning stations where available or put fish Dry the watercraft and equipment completely between parts in the garbage. Do not dispose of fish parts in a trips and allow the wet areas to air dry. kitchen garburator or down a drain. It is recommended to allow for a minimum of 24 hours of drying time before entering new waters. Leave compartments open on boats and equipment.

Download the whirling disease decontamination protocol: 
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/fish-fish-habitat/whirling-disease/whirling_disease_decontamination_protocol_june_2024.pdfUpdated June 12, 2024 Help Stop the Spread of Whirling Disease Background Whirling Disease. Whirling disease is a sickness that affects young salmon and trout. It's caused by a �ny parasite called Myxobolus cerebralis, which gets into the fish through their skin. While it doesn't harm humans, it can be deadly, in specific situa�ons, to young fish like rainbow, cuthroat, and brook trout under four months old. Whirling disease was found in Alberta in 2016 and confirmed in Bri�sh Columbia (B.C.) for the first �me in December 2023, in Yoho Na�onal Park within the Columbia River Watershed. How is whirling disease spread? Whirling disease spreads through the movement of fish, mud, and water. It's transmitted by �ny spores that s�ck to equipment used for ac�vi�es like swimming, boa�ng, fishing, or pumping water, as well as pets. Infected fish, whether alive or dead, and their parts can also carry the disease. Since there's no cure for whirling disease, it's crucial to focus on containing and preven�ng its spread to reduce the risk. Requirements to Prevent the Spread The ac�ons taken to prevent invasive mussels also help prevent the spread of whirling disease. These include requiring all watercra� to 'pull the plug' and recommending a decontamina�on process for gear, especially within the Columbia River Watershed. Finally, there will be more signs and informa�on about keeping boats and gear clean, drained, and dry to protect B.C.'s waterways. NOTE: For industries that use heavy equipment in and around water, or extract water for industrial uses, a separate decontamina�on protocol is in development. To make sure these ac�ons are followed, B.C. has introduced new requirements and guidance. 1. Handle fish carefully. 2. Clean Drain Dry all watercra�, equipment, and gear. 3. Decontaminate all watercra�, equipment and gear leaving waterbodies in the Columbia watershed. 1. Handle Fish Carefully • Never move fish or fish parts from one waterbody to another. • Use fish-cleaning sta�ons where available or put fish parts in the garbage. Do not dispose of fish parts in a kitchen garburator or down a drain. 2. Clean Drain Dry All Watercra�, Equipment and Gear Before moving a boat or any equipment (e.g. waders, buckets, life jackets, kayaks, swimsuits) between water bodies, be sure to always follow the Clean, Drain, Dry steps outlined below. As of May 2024, you must pull your drain plug – it’s the law. WhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca Page 1 of 4 Updated June 12, 2024 CLEAN • Clean and inspect all watercra�, trailers, and equipment on dry land away from storm water drains, ditches, and waterways. • Remove all mud, sand, and plant materials before leaving the shore. • Rinse or wash your boat and equipment away from storm drains, ditches, or waterways. • Bathe pets before allowing them to enter another water body. DRAIN • Before leaving a waterbody, drain all water on dry land (including all internal compartments such as ballasts, bilges, and livewells), coolers, life jackets and other gear. • Raise and lower outboard engines several �mes to ensure all water has drained out. • Drain non-motorized watercra� by inver�ng or �l�ng the watercra�, opening compartments, and removing seats if necessary. • Pull the plug. In B.C. it is now illegal to transport your watercra� with the drain plug in place. DRY • Dry the watercra� and/or equipment completely between trips and allow the wet areas to air dry. Leave compartments open on boats and equipment. • It is recommended to allow for a minimum of 24 hours of drying �me before entering new waters. 3. Decontaminate All Watercra�, Equipment and Gear Leaving Waterbodies in the Columbia River Watershed Priority Area – Columbia River Watershed. • Addi�onal cleaning and decontamina�on procedures are recommended when moving equipment and boats within and out of high- risk areas for whirling disease to help reduce its spread. • The Columbia River Watershed (see map to the right) has been iden�fied as the high-risk area for whirling disease due to the connec�vity to upstream areas where whirling disease has been detected within Yoho Na�onal Park. • The decontamina�on protocol outlined below should be followed a�er the equipment has been thoroughly cleaned using the clean, drain and dry steps outlined above. WhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca Page 2 of 4 Updated June 12, 2024 Decontamina�on Protocol –Checklist • Prior to working with any disinfectant, refer to the product label or material safety data sheet (MSDS) for safety and handling instruc�ons and appropriate use of Personal Protec�ve Equipment (PPE). The recommended disinfectants and the appropriate concentra�ons can be found in the table below. • Please note that household bleach can cause corrosion to fabrics, plas�cs, rubber, and metal so cau�on should be taken when applying it. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs’) (eg. Quat plus) are common cleaning agents used in homes and hospitals and are safe for most equipment, vehicles and machinery when used at the recommended concentra�ons and followed by a thorough rinse. • Care and maintenance instruc�ons for more sensi�ve equipment should be carefully reviewed prior to using any disinfectant. • Bleach should not be disposed of directly into the environment. Small quan��es of disinfectant may be disposed through a sanitary sewer but should be diluted with an equal volume of water if indicated on the product label or MSDS sheet. Local authori�es responsible for opera�ng municipal wastewater treatment facili�es should be consulted before disposing of larger volumes of disinfectant down sanitary sewers. Decontamina�on Protocol - Steps • Ensure that all organic material, including mud, is removed prior to applica�on of chemical treatment. Not doing so can make the applica�on of chemicals ineffec�ve. • Submersible items must be immersed (consider using a rigid rubber tote) such that all surfaces which were in contact with poten�ally contaminated water, mud, or fish, are submerged for 10 minutes. • Non-submersible items, sensi�ve, non-waterproof or large equipment including personal floata�on devices, floater jackets and life jackets that were not submerged in the waterbody should be thoroughly wiped or sprayed. o Surface disinfec�on can be accomplished by wiping weted surfaces with a heavy-duty towel which has been soaked in a disinfectant. o Surfaces must be kept damp with disinfectant for 10 minutes. o Any disposable items (i.e. shop towels) used for this purpose must be disposed of in the garbage away from water. o The disinfectant solu�on can be applied using garden variety pump-up style sprayers and the solu�on should be liberally sprayed on both the outside and the inside of the equipment, keeping surfaces moist for 10 minutes. Avoid le�ng the disinfectant dry on items as it is harder to rinse off once dry. o Take care to protect electronic components that are not water resistant. • Make sure to thoroughly rinse the items using water (not from the exi�ng waterbody) following the applica�on of disinfectant to prevent the buildup of disinfectant residue. • Once treatment and rinse are completed, allow items to dry as long as possible (24 hours minimum recommended). WhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca Page 3 of 4 Updated June 12, 2024 Concentra�on Contact Disposal Cau�ons Addi�onal info �me Household 1:10 (volume to 15 Sodium thiosulphate can Can cause corrosion to This is equal to bleach volume) minutes be used to neutralize fabrics, plas�cs, rubber, 1 cup (250ml) of mixture of prior to disposal or small and metal. bleach with 10 household quan��es of solu�on may cups of water bleach and be disposed into a Bleach is quickly (2.5 litres) freshwater sanitary sewer with an inac�vated by organics, equal volume of water so organic materials should be removed before disinfec�on Quaternary Soaking: 1500 10 Small quan��es may be QAC products can cause QUAT PLUS is a Ammonium ppm minutes discarded in sanitary corrosion when used on common Compounds Wiping and for sewer if indicated on the aluminum. Alterna�ve cleaning agent (QACs’) (eg. spraying: 1500 soaking product label cleaning methods for homes and Quat plus) ppm and should be u�lized for restaurants. spraying aluminum equipment. WhirlingDisease@gov.bc.ca Page 4 of 4