Whirling disease has been detected in fish in Healy Creek in Banff National Park, suggesting the disease that’s decimated fish populations in the United States is more widespread in Banff than hoped.
On Monday (Oct. 17), the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of whirling disease - named after the circular swimming patterns of infected fish – in Healy Creek at the confluence of the Bow River west of the Banff townsite.
CFIA also confirmed the disease earlier this month outside Banff National Park, in Lott Creek in Rocky View County and at a commercial hatchery licensed by the provincial government.
Dave McDonough, superintendent of Banff National Park, said Parks Canada continues with a program of testing water bodies in the parks to determine the extent of the disease.
“CFIA has confirmed that it is in Healy Creek at the confluence of the Bow River, so we know now it is above Bow Falls, at least as far as Healy Creek,” he said.
“It’s too early to comment on the management actions we will take. We’re still trying to work out the extent of it and we’ll design our management options as data comes in.”
Whirling disease was confirmed in fish in Johnson Lake in late August – the first known case of the disease in Canada. It has decimated fish populations in the western and northeastern United States since being introduced there from Europe in the 1950s.
Ongoing testing has also confirmed the disease’s presence in fish in the Spray River, Cascade Creek, Carrot Creek and Lower Cascade River of Banff National Park, as well as several locations in the Bow River between Bow Falls and the park’s east gate.
Several fish species that are found in Alberta – bull trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, brown and brook trout -– can be affected by whirling disease. Bull trout are threatened provincially and westslope cutthroat are listed as threatened federally.
The disease is caused by a parasite that burrows into the head and spine of salmonids – salmon, trout, whitefish and char – making them vulnerable to predators. The parasite can spread from one lake to another through contaminated bait, fishing gear, equipment and birds.
There are no treatment options currently available for the disease.
Reg Bunyan, a board member with Bow Valley Naturalists, said the conservation group is disappointed the disease has been found in Healy Creek, though not surprised.
“The big question is, what are the next steps? I’m sure it’s an interagency coordinated effort and it’s hard to say what next steps will be until everyone knows the spread and extent of disease,” he said.
“Going forward, containment of the spread of the disease is an issue and education is going to be a key component.”
Parks Canada continues to test for whirling disease in fish at many other sites in the Bow watershed in Banff, including Taylor Creek, Louise Creek, Mosquito Creek, Corral Creek, Hidden Lake and Little Herbert Lake.
Also in Banff, tests are being done on fish in several places along the North Saskatchewan River, and Waterfowl Lakes.
In Yoho National Park, fish are also being tested in Emerald Lake, Kicking Horse River near Hoodoo, Kicking Horse River near Field and Lake O’Hara.
In Kootenay, ongoing testing is being done at Upper Vermilion River above Numa Falls and Lower Vermilion below the falls. In addition, fish are being tested in Kootenay River at Kootenay Crossing, Kootenay River near Nixon Creek and Olive Lake.
According to a statement on the CFIA website, additional detections of whirling disease do not mean the disease is spreading.
“Whirling disease may have been present for several years and the ongoing sampling will help determine the extent of the distribution and the most appropriate disease response,” they wrote.
