Bacterial, fungal infection suspected in Panzath fish deaths: SKUAST-K

Fish deaths in Panzath springs are likely linked to a bacterial infection followed by a secondary fungal infection, scientists from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) said after collecting samples from the affected spring system in Qazigund.

A team from SKAUST-K’s Faculty of Fisheries- Rangil- Ganderbal visited the site and collected water and fish samples to determine the exact cause of the mortality.

“The team took liver, kidney, fin, mucus and swab samples from affected fish for detailed laboratory analysis,” a researcher accompanying the team said.

Scientists observed haemorrhagic lesions and fungal patches on affected fish during the inspection.

“Mortality is likely due to a primary infection, most probably bacterial in nature, followed by a secondary fungal infection,” the researcher said.

The team also reported sewage contamination around the affected portions of the springs.

“There is a lot of sewage near the affected parts of these multiple springs. Even plastic, polythene and other waste are also prominent,” members of the team said.

Scientists from the three divisions of SKUAST-K’s Faculty of Fisheries -Aquatic Animal Health and Management, Fish Nutrition and Biochemistry, and Aquatic Environmental Management-participated in the assessment.

The team said laboratory investigations would focus on water quality and disease-causing pathogens.

“The investigations will reveal the water quality index of the springs. The samples will be processed immediately and various parameters will be studied before the final report is submitted to the Fisheries Department,” the team said.

“A culture test will also be conducted, which takes some time,” it added.

Researchers said the university would recommend treatment measures after completing the analysis.

The mortality has affected indigenous cold-water fish of the Schizothorax species.

Dead fish have been reported in the springs since last week.

A preliminary report prepared by the Fisheries Department also linked the mortality to pollution and disease.

“Untreated sewage, waste accumulation and a possible bacterial infection are among the factors believed to have contributed to the recent mass fish mortality at Panzath Springs,” the report said.

According to the report, affected fish showed white patches and haemorrhagic lesions on the body surface.

The clinical signs were “suggestive of a bacterial infection, possibly caused by Aeromonas spp. or Pseudomonas spp.,” the report said, adding that the condition may have been complicated by a secondary fungal infection.

The report described the spring ecosystem as being under “considerable anthropogenic pressure.”

Investigators found household sewage being discharged into the springs.

They also recorded the accumulation of plastic and other non-biodegradable waste, disposal of food items and washing of clothes in the water body.

“The cumulative effect of these activities is likely to have adversely affected the water quality and increased stress on the fish population, thereby predisposing them to opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections,” the report said.

The Fisheries Department has already carried out a cleaning drive at the springs, removing garbage, plastic and polythene waste.

The department also treated the water with disinfectants.

Officials urged the administration to examine why sewage continues to flow directly into the spring system.

They also appealed to residents to avoid feeding rice and other food items to fish.

“Unnecessary feeding leads to nutrient enrichment, which accelerates stress in spring-fed systems and creates conditions conducive to disease outbreaks,” an official said.

The Fisheries Department has uploaded its preliminary findings to the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) portal.

The final laboratory report from SKAUST-K is expected within the next few days.

The incident is the sixth reported case of mass fish mortality in Kashmir in the past six months.

Earlier this year, fish deaths were reported from the Nagbal springs of Sherbagh and Andernag in Anantnag, Chamgund stream in Kulgam, springs in Zainapora area of Shopian and later from Beehama in Ganderbal. A similar incident was reported from the springs at Martand in Mattan in December last year.