Whirling disease was confirmed in rainbow trout collected from Watauga River in Watauga County– the first occurrence of the disease in North Carolina. Whirling disease affects fish in the trout and salmon family. The disease, caused by the microscopic parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, damages cartilage and skeletal tissue in trout, causing them to swim in a whirling motion. 
 
The disease does not infect humans or pets, and eating an infected fish is not known to cause any harmful effects. 

To learn more about Whirling Disease, watch this video:  https://vimeo.com/135055487

To learn more about how you can help prevent the spread of Whirling Disease, visit the NC Wildlife Resources Comission's site: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/Whirling-Disease