Dr. Tom Waltzek

[LizStreithorst]

Dr. Tom of the U of Fla spoke at NADA.  In my 63 years of life I've have never heard a better lecture.  He is just one step away from proving that what we call "Discus Plague" is a herpes virus.  He has even sequenced the DNA of the virus and found it in cells of infected fish!  He wants to publish in the worst way but he can't until he has proof.  For proof he needs to grow a cell line and he hasn't been able to.  He'll be traveling to Asia, because he found a fish scientist there who has said he has grown a Discus cell line. 

The man is a genius.  He has an idea of the level of knowledge of the dedicated hobbyist.  Everybody thought that it was great I felt that he was talking to me since I've had this virus.  His lecture was more than worth a week off work and the cost of going to the convention.

[Mugwump]

Every once in a bit you run across an exceptional speaker at those type functions. I'm glad to hear that you did at NADA. 

[LizStreithorst]

I just got off the phone to him.  I told him that I'd had an outbreak of this terrible virus and how I handled it.  He confirmed for me that my fish are as safe to keep and sell as much as anyone can say that their fish are clean.  He 'splained to me in smart layman's words why.  I really needed that.  I believed that my fish are clean from the results from Hansie's fish, but I needed reassurance from the guy who has dedicated himself to this virus.

The biggest problem for him with Discus is because they are a  mostly a hobbyist's fish there is not much money coming their way.   The Koi people had the same type of virus but since there are big commercial breeders in Koi, they had the clout and got results sooner.  NADA gave the U of Fla. $500. but although that's a large amount for us, it's hardly a drop in the bucket.

The same type of Herpie's  virus was responsible for Angelfish plague.  Dr. Tom would make a good speaker for ACA or some big Angel club.