PFIESTERIA: MICROBE POSES MENACE THIS SUMMER -- WH
"From the Middle Atlantic states to coastal Florida,
health officials are bracing for what some scientists say could
be another rough year" for outbreaks of the toxic microbe
Pfiesteria piscicida.
The Clinton administration today will release a report warning
that conditions favor more outbreaks of Pfiesteria around the
country this summer. Weather and water conditions since spring
have "been perfect" for the microbe, which thrives in
warm, slow-moving waters rich in nutrients from sewage plants,
fertilizer and livestock waste (Joby Warrick, Washington Post).
Maryland monitoring crews have found a small number of fish bearing lesions believed to be caused by the microbe, which many scientists say is fueled by runoff pollution. The finding is a "likely sign" that another season of environmental woes in the Chesapeake Bay has begun. Last summer, outbreaks of Pfiesteria killed as many as 30,000 fish and sickened more than 24 people
(Greenwire, 9/2/97) (Peter Goodman, Washington Post).
Maryland Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin said that
one in five of the 151 Atlantic menhaden caught in the Wicomico
River on 8/4 exhibited the lesions associated with Pfiesteria.
He conferred with Gov. Parris Glendening (D), who decided not
to close the river at this time (Washington Times).
In North Carolina, a much larger fish kill has already occurred
on the Neuse River. An estimated 500,000 fish had died by late
last week, and some scientists believe "it's just the start."
White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles today is slated to
announce a $365,000 grant for North Carolina to help it combat
Pfiesteria (Warrick, Washington Post). (All cites 8/6.)