Following up on a call to Maryland's Fish Health Hotline, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service biologists have found live menhaden, a small baitfish, with lesions in several creeks of Baltimore County's Middle River. There are no early indications of toxic Pfiesteria, no reported human health symptoms, and all other species of fish collected on Middle River have been healthy.

"There is no evidence of toxic Pfiesteria in these early reports, and no reports of Pfiesteria-related health problems," said Governor Parris N. Glendening. "There is no reason to be overly concerned, and state and local officials will continue to monitor this area closely and aggressively to ensure that there is no threat to public health. Lesions on fish can be caused by a variety of factors normally present in Maryland waters, so the Department of Natural Resources will continue to assess the fish caught in the Middle River area and to test additional water samples."

The State is working with fish pathologists from three federal agencies and several universities to try and identify the factors and causes of these kind of fish lesions and the relationship of these lesions with toxic Pfiesteria. The experimental genetic probe under development by the University of Maryland's Dr. David Oldach has indicated the presence of Pfiesteria in five water samples taken from Middle River on Sunday and Monday. The probe can test the presence or absence of Pfiesteria, but does not indicate the density or whether the Pfiesteria is in its toxic form. No dead fish have been found, and no fish have been seen acting erratically, which are two key indicators of the presence of toxic Pfiesteria.

"Our advice to the public is to use common sense," said Dr. Robert A. Venezia, with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. "Fish that look healthy are safe to eat. Don't go swimming if you see dead and dying fish, and if you catch a fish with any kind of sore on it, throw it back."

Individuals who see fish kills, fish in distress or fish with lesions are encouraged to call the Fish Health Hotline at (888) 584-3110.