Fish disease not hurting humans | Gladstone News | Local News in Gladstone

ONE of the only things to be definitively stated by the Scientific Panel's report on Gladstone Harbour was the absence of any link between the fish disease outbreak and human illness.

The panel concluded that Queensland Health had conducted an "appropriate and adequate investigation" of the cases of fishers thought to be sick from contact with diseased fish.

The news contradicts the views of dozens of commercial fishermen, who are certain they have suffered symptoms from contact with sick barramundi last year.

The Harbour was first closed on September 6 when commercial fisherman Trevor Falzon reported symptoms he and his colleagues had suffered after contact with the fish.

Mr Falzon was by no means the only one.

Despite the strongly held view in the industry that there was a link, Queensland Health has maintained all along that there was no connection.

Fisheries minister Craig Wallace said the panel's finding, that there is no connection with human illness was good news for the "Gladstone community."

He said the community should have faith in seafood products caught in Gladstone Harbour.

The report recommended a study be conducted to establish a "baseline" incidence for illness in commercial fishers in the region and possibly other areas of Queensland.

Panel chair Dr Ian Poiner said this would allow any future outbreaks to be identified in the future.