Salmonid fish threatened by kidney disease in Czech rivers

Trout, Arctic char, grayling and other salmonid fish in Czechia are threatened by proliferative kidney disease, or PKD, for which there is currently no treatment. Scientists working with anglers found the serious disease at most of the 59 sites they surveyed on 42 rivers across the country.

In some locations, PKD can lead to the extinction of entire fish populations. The disease has also been recorded in North America and Europe, posing a major threat to fish farming in countries such as Norway.

The researchers launched the survey to assess the situation in Czech and Moravian rivers. They also experimentally tested several methods to help stop the disease from spreading.