Eric Leis of the La Crosse Fish Health Center conducts VHS sampling on white bass collected from Lake Erie. - FWS photo

The La Crosse Fish Health Center was assisted by the Ohio Division of Wildlife in determining if Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) could still be detected in the waters of Lake Erie, October 30^-31. 

VHS was isolated this spring following a large fish kill on the lake. 

Fish were necropsied at the Sandusky Division of Wildlife Office.  The species which were examined include: Emerald Shiner, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Freshwater Drum, Steelhead, Gizzard Shad, White Bass, Walleye, and Rainbow Smelt. 

In addition to VHS testing, the fish were also screened for bacterial and parasitic infections.  Currently, the results are still pending.