Whirling disease continues to be detected in fish further afield in Banff National Park and in commercial fish hatcheries in Alberta.
The Canadian Food and Inspection Agency has confirmed whirling disease – named after the circular swimming patterns of infected fish – has now been found in fish in Redearth Creek, upstream from the confluence of the Bow River in Banff.
As well, it has now been detected in four commercial fish hatcheries licensed by the Alberta government.
Whirling disease was first detected in Canada at Banff’s Johnson Lake in late August. It’s been known to decimate fish populations in the United States.
It can affect several species that are found in Alberta – bull trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brown and brook trout. Native bull trout are threatened provincially and westslope cutthroat are listed as threatened federally.
