Are other fish and animals affected by Largemouth Bass Virus?
LMBV is a virus of the type that affects only cold-blooded animals. Researchers have found it in other members of the sunfish family, which bass belong to, but, thus far, it has proven to be a fatal disease only for largemouth bass. Other members of the sunfish family found infected with the virus include smallmouth bass, spotted bass, Suwanee bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, white crappie, and black crappie. Amphibians, reptiles, and other fish species could be carriers of LMBV. Scientists have found LMBV to be 98 percent identical to a virus found in guppies and “doctor fish,” a freshwater aquarium species imported from southeast Asia. This suggests that LMBV could have originated with importation of an exotic species. 8. Are infected fish save to handle and eat? Yes. LMBV is not known to infect any warm-blooded animals, including humans. But common sense should prevail at all times: Thoroughly cook fish that you intend to eat. Also, fish that are dead or dying should not be used f
