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Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Bowser
Contact Information: E-mail: prb4@cornell.edu - Phone: 607-253-4029
Sponsor: USDA-APHIS
Grant Number: 06-9100-1068-CA
Title: Epidemiologic Study of Current Viral Hemmorhagic Septicemia Disease in the Lower Great Lakes
Annual Direct Cost: $22,727
Project Period: 08/01/06-12/31/06
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) has recently been identified in the Lower Great Lakes ecosystem. As an OIE Reportable organism it is important to know the diversity of species that this pathogen is infecting. The primary goal of this Cooperative Agreement will be to conduct a surveillance effort of the various fish species in the Lower Great Lakes Basin. Fish will be collected in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as well as other organizations with capabilities for making such collections. The two major groups of fish for which no reports of fish kills have been received are the Great Lakes salmonids (Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead Trout) and bait minnows. The initial focus of the surveillance will focus on these groups of fish due to their economic importance (salmonids) or the potential risk they may pose in extending the geographic range of the virus (bait minnows). However, an effort will be made to screen representative fish from each fish family that is found in the Great Lakes Basin.
Data to be collected will include collection site and date, fish species and testing results regarding virus status. Initial screening will be performed through cell culture using the fathead minnow (FHM) cell line. A quantitative RT-PCR test is being developed and that testing method will be used once it is available.
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