The emergence of VHSV in the Great Lakes Basin
of North America in 2005 marked another major milestone
in the history of this virus and the disease it causes.
Up to this time, VHSV was known to exist in various
marine fish species in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The confirmation of VHSV infections in several fish
species in Lake St. Claire and Lake Ontario (Bay of
Quinte) in the spring of 2005 marked the first time this
pathogen was identified as a cause of mortality in freshwater
fish in North America. As a pathogen that is listed
by the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health)
as reportable, the finding of VHSV in this new location
has significant trade implications on a national and