Fish Handlers Disease? - The Hull Truth

San Man · 05-06-2004, 09:20 PM

The Capital (local Annapolis newspaper) ran their second article on a disease I can't begin to remember how to spell affecting rockfish. They contend people can get it by handling fish, but cooking would kill the disease and therefore it's still safe to eat. According to the articles 50%+ of the rockfish in the bay have this. So far, they've only cited one person who had problems with it. They said he got pricked with a fin and a few days later the back of his hand was swollen. Based on what the article said, it turned out to be pretty serious and he was out for a while.

Do you think this is serious and have you guys changed your fish handling tactics (i.e. started wearing gloves, etc)?

B-Faithful · 05-06-2004, 10:05 PM

I dont know the seriousness of it yet. Time will tell that one. I havent really changed the way I handle the fish yet but usually use a rag just to hold on to the slippery devils..... (They rag usually smells nice by the end of the season)

CJS · 05-07-2004, 09:03 AM

There was a guy up here last year who died of "flesh eating bacteria".
Started on his arm or hand and worked it's way up thru the shoulder. They
could not amputate fast enough to keep up with the speed that this would spread.
They concluded that he picked it up when pricked by a fish he caught off the south
shore (of Boston). Not the first case related to fishing around here. I think there
was another in Rhode Island.

honkers89 · 05-09-2004, 08:50 AM

The disease they are speaking about is mycobacteria marinum chesapeki. Mycobacteria marinum is in the same family as TB and Leporsy and is treated with the same drugs. I know I had the disease after being stuck by a rickfish 3 years ago. I was on three different antibiotics for 16 months plus a surgery. There have been over a thousand cases or more in Maryland and as many in Virginia. The percentage of Rockfish infected is almost 70% in the chesapeake bay. As far as eating Rockfish the jury is still out. The doctors who trated me would not eat rockfish nor would I anymore. This problem which has been swpt under the rug by two govenors is more severe than reported. There is lots of information on the net and check Tidal fish for more info.

San Man · 05-09-2004, 09:05 PM

honkers89--

Sorry to hear about that. Do you still fish and if so, what precautions do you take now with regard to handling the fish?

Bruce W · 05-10-2004, 12:49 AM

Honkers89,

GREAT info there - I remember hearing about that happening in the Chesapeake a few years ago!!!

It scared the HECK out of me back then but a LOT of people have forgotten how serious it was and CAN be!

Glad you recovered well - sounds like a LOT to go through and it's SCARY as he$$! I don;t usually keep/eat many of the fish I catch - this is even MORE reason for "catch and release"!

Regards,
Bruce W

honkers89 · 05-12-2004, 10:37 AM

Yes I fish now more than ever, spent 3 months in florida. I use a boga grip and wet towels to grasp fish. I am pretty careful now. Good gloves also help.