The ecological state of Lake Kotokelskogo - "satellite" Baikal - improved reservoir "recovering" from "gaffskoy disease" outbreak which was recorded in 2008, but the limitations of economic activity on the lake are not canceled, said Monday at a meeting in the government of Buryatia Acting . Minister of Natural Resources of the republic Alexander Lbov.

Cases of human infection and animal little-known "gaffskoy disease" recorded at Kotokel, which is located two kilometers from the lake and is a popular recreation spot in April 2008. That year was marked by the death of fish, birds, cats, fish pops up after eating. Due to the consumption of contaminated fish began to ache and the inhabitants of nearby settlements: 16 people injured, one person died. The last case recorded July 17, 2011, when, presumably, from the "gaffskoy disease" suffered three citizens of China, who worked on the wood-processing enterprises.

"The young fish are safe, but fish older individuals who survived an outbreak in 2008, may contain a toxin that causes" gaffskuyu disease ", and therefore continue to apply restrictions on the fishery and recreational activities on the lake," - said Lbov.

According to him, the main causes of adverse changes in the ecosystem of the lake, and flare in 2008 is the low availability of water of the lake, and as a consequence - the growing influence of alien plants - "Canadian Hellas" as well as economic and recreational load on the pond.

In 2009 steps were taken to limit human activities at the lake. Research Institute of General and Experimental Biology "says the positive dynamics: an end mass death of fish returning to nesting birds." With the commissioning of "Field Filter" at the sanatorium "Baikal Forest" in 2009 has stopped dumping sewage into the lake.

This summer, scientists have recorded a growth of mass bioplanktona, the appearance of clams, which almost disappeared in the mid 90s. "The biomass of fish recovered to the level of the 90s, there has been a large number of juvenile bream, the appearance of the fish says Kotokel favorable for feeding," - said Lbov.

The federal budget has allocated 1.33 million rubles for the project works to improve water supply to Lake Kotokelskoe. The project - raising the water level in the lake, clearing the river Kotochik, as well as dredging. In late August, will hold a competition for works. Total Project Cost - RUB 16.6 million from federal funds. The bulk of the work will perform in 2012.

Gaffskaya disease - an acute disease that is still poorly understood, specific treatment from him. It is established that the source of the disease in mammals is fish, particularly perch, pike, carp, crucian carp. All outbreaks were recorded in the ponds during the rising waters. The first symptoms of the disease in humans - acute muscle pain. In severe disease affects the heart and kidneys.

Source: RIA "Novosti"