The first known Canadian case of whirling disease in fish has been found in Johnson Lake in Banff National Park.
Parks Canada says access is being restricted to the lake just east of the Banff townsite to prevent the spread of the disease, which is named for the whirling pattern that infected fish swim in.
Rainbow and Westslope cutthroat trout, salmon and whitefish are most susceptible to the disease.
“Whirling disease is not a health concern for humans or other mammals,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a release.
Access to Johnson Lake east of the Banff townsite is being restricted as officials work to contain an outbreak of whirling disease in the lake’s fish stocks. (Google )
The disease is caused by the microscopic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis.
It can be transmitted to other water bodies through gear and equipment used for swimming, paddling, boating and fishing.
Suspected cases should be reported to 1-855-336-BOAT.