A list of facts about whirling disease found in some national park waterways in B.C.

VANCOUVER — Parks Canada officials have shut down waterbodies in British Columbia’s Yoho and Kootenay national parks after the discovery of whirling disease. Here are some facts about the disease:

— Species susceptible to the disease include cutthroat, rainbow, bull, brown and brook trout, coho, sockeye, chinook and Atlantic salmon and the mountain whitefish. 

— The disease is especially deadly for young finfish, with the overall death rate of fry and fingerlings reaching up to 90 per cent. 

— Affected fish may whirl in their swimming patterns, they have skeletal deformities and their tail may appear dark. 

— It was first found in Alberta waterbodies,and Parks Canada officials say the mostly likely cause of the spread to B.C. was through humans. 

— It is caused by a microscopic parasite spread through contact with a fish and a freshwater worm. 

— People can spread whirling disease by moving infected live or dead fish, infected worms, contaminated equipment or water. 

— It does not pose a risk to human health.

— There is no treatment for whirling disease. 

Source: Government of Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2023. 

The Canadian Press