In the 2012 President's Budget Request, the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is terminated. As a result, all resources, databases, tools, and applications within this web site will be removed on January 15, 2012. For more information, please refer to the NBII Program Termination page.
The Whirling Disease Initiative was established by Congress in 1997 to conduct research that will lead to practical methods of managing wild trout fisheries.
The Initiative's web site is full of valuable information about whirling disease, including frequently asked questions, parasite distribution maps, life cycle diagrams, photographs, literature, and management tips.
The Mountain Prairie Node worked with the Initiative to create distribution maps, an interactive map, and a data repository for fisheries researchers and professionals. Learn more about these projects.
Whirling Disease
"Whirling disease" is a disease of salmonid fish, the family of fish that includes trout, salmon, and whitefish. The disease is caused by a microscopic parasite known as Myxobolus cerebralis. In an infected fish, the parasite can affect nerves and cause cartilage damage which results in the outward signs of whirling disease. Whirling disease gets its name from the abnormal whirling or tail-chasing behavior exhibited by some infected fish. Other symptoms may include a black tail in younger fish. In older fish, signs may include deformities to the head or body. Severe whirling disease infections can kill fish. Carriers with no visible signs of disease are common.
Source: The Whirling Disease Initiative
Where is whirling disease found? The Mountain Prairie Node and The Whirling Disease Initiative partnered to create an interactive map and static maps for fisheries professionals and anglers. Learn more about these maps.
What sort of research has been conducted on whirling disease? The Whirling Disease Initiative Data Repository is a research database with information on research projects funded by the Initiative. This project is another collaboration between the Initiative and the Mountain Prairie Node.
Where can I learn more about whirling disease? Go to the frequently asked questions of the Whirling Disease Initiative, or select from the links below.
Myxobolus cerebralis Myxospores
[Photo: Author Unknown]
Mountain Prairie States Detecting the Disease
[Image: Aaron Jones, Big Sky Institute]
Learn About Wildlife Disease
[Image: NBII]
The NBII Wildlife Disease Information Node is a collaborative project working to provide access to data on wildlife diseases, mortality events, and other critical information related to wildlife diseases. The audience is state and federal resource managers, animal disease specialists, veterinary diagnostic laboratories, physicians, public health workers, educators, and the general public.
Visit the Wildlife Disease Node to learn more about avian influenza, chronic wasting disease, West Nile Virus, and other diseases organized by species and type. Or, explore the Wildlife Health Monitoring Network, try the interactive maps, or search related publications.
The NBII Program is administered by the Biological Informatics Program of the U.S. Geological Survey
