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State Doesn't Find Pfiesteria in Sick Fish

The Washington Post

August 25, 1999

MARYLAND

Fish with lesions have been found in creeks feeding the Middle River in Baltimore County, but state officials said yesterday the fish are alive and there is no evidence that the sores were caused by the toxic microbe Pfiesteria piscicida, which sickened people and killed thousands of fish in Maryland waters two summers ago.

Gov. Parris N. Glendening (D) said "there is no reason to be overly concerned" by the sores on the fish because lesions can be caused by a variety of factors. He did urge people to eat only healthy-looking fish. State biologists will continue to test the fish, identified as menhaden, and take water samples. The governor said no toxic levels of Pfiesteria have been found in the creeks.

Last week, Glendening urged boaters, swimmers and anglers to use caution on a portion of Back Creek in Somerset County after three people reported the flulike symptoms associated with Pfiesteria. Two of those have since been cleared of exposure to the toxic microbe, state health officials said, and tests continue on the third person. Officials did not find toxic levels of Pfiesteria in fish or the water in the creek.