Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia

Help Prevent the Spread of this Disease in Ontario!

What is Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS)?

• VHS is an infectious disease of fish.
• VHS disease outbreaks may happen at any time, but are most likely during the spring as temperatures fluctuate and fish are reproducing.
• The Great Lakes strain of the virus is new and appears to be affecting multiple species of fish, including: Walleye, Yellow Perch, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Chinook Salmon, White Bass, Black Crappie, Freshwater Drum, Round Goby, Gizzard Shad, Emerald Shiners, Bluntnose Minnows and Spottail Shiners.
• To slow the spread of VHS, the Ministry of Natural Resources established a VHS Management Zone in Ontario.

Can VHS infect people? No, the virus does not affect humans. Fish carrying the VHS virus are safe to eat and handle.     More information is available in these fact sheets: VHS Fact Sheet for Anglers (PDF, 196K) VHS Fact Sheet for Aquarists (PDF, 170K) VHS Fact Sheet for Fish Farmers (PDF, 167K) VHS Fact Sheet for Property Owners (PDF, 187K) VHS Fact Sheet for Bait Fish Harvesters (PDF, 153 K)     Still have questions? For general inquiries, call: Natural Resources Information Centre 1-800-667-1940     For reporting fish die-offs, call: 1-866-929-0994		A fish with VHS can look healthy, showing no signs at all.     A fish with VHS can look sick, showing signs of the disease.