Fishery Biologist Aaron Woldt of the Alpena NFWCO was invited to speak at the Fall 2007 Conference of the Michigan Community College Biologists (MCCB) on October 13. 

The MCCB serves as a forum for sharing information, instructional techniques, and new teaching ideas among the biologists of 29 community colleges in the State of Michigan. 

Woldt gave an hour long PowerPoint presentation titled “Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) in the Great Lakes” that included descriptions of the origins of VHS, clinical symptoms, current Great Lakes distribution of VHS, methods that resource agencies and concerned public can use to limit the spread of VHS, and impacts of the disease to the Great Lakes region. 

Ken Phillips, Service Microbiologist at the LaCrosse Fish Health Center, provided much of the information presented and served as co-author of the presentation. 

Approximately 20-25 community college biology professors attended the presentation.  Woldt fielded questions from the floor regarding VHS and Service efforts to limit spread of the disease, especially at fish production facilities, and efforts to monitor new occurrence of VHS.  Woldt’s presentation was well received, and many MCCB members expressed thanks for the high quality of information provided regarding VHS and ways to pass this information on to community college students around the state of Michigan.