Infected salmon eggs in Mass. to be destroyed

SUNDERLAND, Mass. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says this year’s production of Atlantic salmon eggs at facilities in Massachusetts and Vermont will have to be destroyed after the detection of a virus.

The broodstock – or fish used for breeding purposes – will also be destroyed.

Pancreatic necrosis was first discovered at Richard Cronin National Salmon Station in Sunderland.

Humans cannot contract the virus.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife assistant regional director of fisheries Dr. Jaime Geiger says in addition to the Sunderland facility, eggs being incubated at a hatchery in Bethel, Vt., will also be destroyed.

Infected wild salmon that returned to the Connecticut River from the Atlantic Ocean reportedly introduced the virus.