Virus found in Washington fish farm; stock killed

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. — A deadly fish virus detected in Washington state waters for the first time has forced a salmon fish farm to kill its entire stock.

Tests confirmed this month the presence of an influenza-like virus called infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus at salmon farm on Bainbridge Island across from Seattle on Puget Sound.

The Kitsap Sun reports (http://is.gd/iyu6qf) the virus does not affect humans. It occurs naturally in wild sockeye salmon and can be carried by other fish.

Washington state fish health supervisor John Kerwin says the virus is a big concern. The virus recently appeared in two British Columbia fish farms, forcing the destruction of nearly 600,000 fish there.

American Gold Seafoods owns the farm and plans to remove all dead or dying fish by the end of June.