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Infectious Catfish Melanoma Found in Drinking-Water Lake Memphremagog

7/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

University of Vermont researchers identified a transmissible melanoma in brown bullhead catfish in Lake Memphremagog.
Sampling found 23%-37% of the fish had malignant skin lesions, and whole-genome sequencing showed the tumors share many variants distinct from the host, confirming an infectious cancer.
Researchers said the disease poses no human risk, cannot infect other species, and the lake supplies drinking water for 175,000 people.

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Story summary

University of Vermont researchers identified a transmissible melanoma in brown bullhead catfish in Lake Memphremagog.
Sampling found 23%-37% of the fish had malignant skin lesions, and whole-genome sequencing showed the tumors share many variants distinct from the host, confirming an infectious cancer.
Researchers said the disease poses no human risk, cannot infect other species, and the lake supplies drinking water for 175,000 people.