A new virus has been found in five fish species in the waters throughout the state, including Door County. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison detected a coronavirus that is usually associated with birds but does not threaten human health.  Department of Pathobiological Sciences professor Tony Goldberg, says his research group identified 19 new viruses in blood samples from over 100 fish, including bluegills, brown trout, lake sturgeon, northern pike, and walleye.  The virus in the walleye instance was a coronavirus. Goldberg notes that the fish-associated coronavirus differs from the type of virus that causes COVID.  It was present in 11 of the 15 walleye sampled by the DNR, and Goldberg says the impact of the virus on the fish is unknown, but it does not pose any threat of infecting anglers. 

Goldberg says the noteworthy study was done because it is not uncommon for unknown viruses to pop up occasionally, and it is vital to set a baseline for determining the future health of fish species in the state.

The findings are part of a Wisconsin Sea Grant-funded first-time-ever study of the natural diversity of viruses of fish in Wisconsin. You can listen to the entire interview with Tony Goldberg below.