For those curious about the disease, the MD DNR has a lot of info on their website at
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/i...ass_health.asp
Copied and pasted here since it is public information:
MYCOBACTERIA AND STRIPED BASS (ROCKFISH)
What is fish mycobacteria?Mycobacteriosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria in the genus mycobacterium. These species of “marine mycobacteria” such as mycobacterium marinum and chelonae are ubiquitous in the environment. Newly identified species such as mycobacterium chesapeaki and schottsii have only been described from the Chesapeake Bay. At least 10 species of mycobacteria have been isolated from striped bass lesions.
How does mycobacteriosis affect fish?
Mycobacteriosis is a bacterial infection that results in inflammation, tissue destruction and formation of scar tissue in one or more organs. Signs of infection are first noted in internal organs such as the spleen and kidney. Nodules (called granulomas) composed of inflammatory cells and fibrous connective tissue form in response to the bacteria in an attempt to stop the infection. An increase in the number and size of granulomas leads to the formation of extensive scar tissue and eventual loss of normal tissue architecture. This disease progresses slowly in fish and has been characterized as a “wasting disease” due to loss of body mass and emaciation. It is not known how many fish die or if any fish recover from this disease in the Chesapeake Bay.
Are the signs of mycobacteriosis in fish always externally visible?No. Mycobacteriosis in fish is generally first found in internal organs. In mild cases of this disease signs of infection may only be evident microscopically. As the disease progresses additional internal organs may show signs of disease. In severe cases virtually all organs and tissue are affected including the skin and muscle. Mycobacteria have been isolated from young-of-year striped bass but no visible signs of disease have been found. Infected 1- and 2-year-old fish typically exhibit mild to moderate signs of the bacteria. However 3- to 5-year-old fish have the highest incidence of mycobacteriosis, and occasionally exhibit severe infections, including emaciation and scar tissue formation on the skin. It is important to note that striped bass are susceptible to other viral, bacterial and parasitic infections; therefore not all striped bass with lesions on the skin have mycobacteriosis.
How many fish are affected ?The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Maryland Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Laboratory at College Park first diagnosed mycobacteriosis in the Chesapeake Bay in 1997. This prompted a Bay-wide striped bass health assessment survey that continues today.
Currently, DNR surveys indicate that as many as 60 percent of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay have this disease. This infection rate has more than doubled since 1998 when this survey began. Fish are probably exposed to these bacteria early in life with infection rates increasing with age: 11 percent in 1-year-olds and 60 percent in 3- to 5-year-olds. Differences in reported prevalence of mycobacteriosis may be due to variation in diagnostic techniques employed.
Is mycobacteriosis specific to a certain region of the Bay?No differences in infection rates have been detected between males or females; between the upper, middle and lower Chesapeake Bay; or between fish caught from pound nets vs. those captured by hook and line.
Are certain species more prone to mycobacteriosis?
Mycobacteriosis has been documented in more than 160 species of fresh and saltwater fish worldwide. However, there is no evidence that mycobacteriosis is common in any Chesapeake Bay species other than striped bass. In 2001 surveys were conducted with white and yellow perch and so far no fish were found with the disease. Additional species will be added to this survey in the future.
What is the DNR doing about mycobacteriosis?DNR, along with state and federal partners, initiated a health survey of striped bass in 1998. This general health survey involved collections of striped bass from the lower, middle and upper Chesapeake Bay including numerous tributaries, and was designed to identify problems in the population. Complete examinations were performed on these fish and samples were processed for microbiology (pathogen identification), histopathology (visible signs of disease at the cellular level), nutritional status and parasite load. Results indicated that the disease of concern was mycobacteriosis and that the infection rates were rising. In addition to mycobacteriosis, resident fish also exhibited ulcers or areas of hemorrhage on the skin, termed "ulcerative dermatitis syndrome" or UDS.
Starting in 2003, DNR and its partners began a more detailed study of mycobacteriosis in striped bass, involving younger age classes of resident fish as well as migratory fish. Fish from all areas of the Bay are being examined. Experiments are underway to determine how this disease is transmitted to fish. In addition, fisheries managers are taking a close look at the population structure to determine what population level affects may be evident. DNR and its partners (NOAA, USGS, VIMS and UMD) are currently planning a conference to discuss current state of knowledge and future research concerning mycobacteriosis.
Chesapeake striped bass migrate from Maine to North Carolina and their catch is controlled by very tight quotas in the Atlantic states. Population numbers remain high, and to date, scientific analyses have not shown an increase in the number of stripers dying of natural causes; any kind of disease would be considered a natural cause. Fisheries managers in all the coastal states are continually monitoring catches and collecting data that would detect an increase in mortality associated with mycobacteriosis.
HUMAN HEALTH CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH MYCOBACTERIA
Can humans get mycobacteria?Yes. mycobacteriosis is zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted to humans. Mycobacteriosis is also called "fish handler's disease" because of cases involving people associated with fish hatcheries, aquaculture facilities and the aquarium industry.
How are humans affected?Infections in human are generally limited to the extremities such as fingertips and feet, but may involve the joints, bones and lymph nodes. Individuals with cuts or scrapes are at higher risk for infection. The most frequent symptom is the formation of a persistent bump or nodule under the skin. Additional symptoms may include the formation of ulcers, swelling of lymph nodes and joint pain. This disease can be treated with antibiotics. A health care provider should be contacted if any of the above symptoms develop following direct skin contact with fresh or salt water or after handling or processing fish. If you have any questions or general concerns, please contact a health care provider.
How can anglers and fish handlers protect themselves?Individuals that handle striped bass should wear heavy gloves (made of leather of heavy cotton) and boots to avoid puncture wounds from fish spines, and wash hands thoroughly after handling or processing striped bass. Open cuts or scrapes on hands and arms should be thoroughly cleansed and bandaged. Again, this disease can be treated with antibiotics, and any persons with questions or concerns should contact a physician.
FISH PREPARATION AND CONSUMPTION
Can I get mycobacteria from eating a “tainted” rockfish?
A recent check of the published medical studies on this kind of infection in human beings shows that eating properly prepared and cooked rockfish has not been associated with human mycobacterial illness. DHMH recommends that people not consume any raw rockfish or any fish that appears diseased.
Should I be concerned about preparing rockfish? No. Use common sense when preparing your fish fillet. Fish with open, reddened lesions on the body or with signs of hemorrhage or darkened patches in the fillets should be discarded. Fish that appear to be healthy and are properly cooked are safe to eat. DHMH recommends that people not consume any raw rockfish or any fish that appears diseased.
While handling an infected rockfish, especially if the skin is cut or scraped, can lead to skin infections, simple hygiene precautions can prevent this.
Should I be concerned when handling raw fish?When handling any type of fish, use a few practical and simple precautions:
If cuts, scrapes or other open or inflamed areas of the skin are present, cover hands and wrists with an impermeable barrier (like a rubber or vinyl glove) to prevent any bacteria from getting into the soft tissue under the skin where mycobacterium marinum organisms are known to cause infections.
Dispose of any leftover fish parts after preparing raw fish. Wash off all cutting boards, surfaces, knives and other utensils used to process raw fish with warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
Stop any infections early. If red, itchy or ulcerated bumps appear on the skin -- especially on the hands and forearms -- after processing or handling fish, contact a health care provider. Those with underlying medical problems, including a weakened immune system, should also contact a health care provider.
Is Mycobacteriosis Killing Stripers in the Bay?
). I have copied and pasted the email below:
2008 Maycraft 2550XL (The Hunter) - Yamaha F250 
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