Stripers, for some unknown reason have a high susceptibility for mycobacteriosis, which has infected resident fish in Chesapeake Bay beginning in the 1980s. Recent studies, including the recent USGS/NOAA workshop on mycobacteriosis have shown a broad and increasing rate of infection.
Fish with mycobacteriosis develop a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and ugly lesions or sores on their skin; it also causes tissue destruction and formation of scar tissue in one or more organs, especially the kidneys and spleen. The disease has been characterized as a ?wasting disease? because it results in a loss of body mass and causes fish to look emaciated.
It is not known how fish actually become infected. Do they get it from their food, from stress, or from the water? And can they pass it on to others that swim nearby or when in a crowd? Among the possible reasons for the increase in mycobacteriosis (up about 62% from 1998 to 2005) are overpopulation and/or poor water quality combined with insufficient food sources.
The infection is age-dependent and is even found in young-of-the-year fish. Infection rates can be as high as 50% for 3 to 4 year old males and up to 80% for age 6-year fish. Skin lesions are observed more in the fall than in other seasons.
People handling infected fish may develop skin lesions that can be difficult to treat. These fish should not be handled by individuals with cuts or sores on their hands.
