Whirling parasite found at Utah hatchery

SPRINGVILLE —Utah officials say they'll kill 60,000 tiny trout after finding evidence of the parasite that causes whirling disease at the state hatchery in Springville.

The hatchery will be closed until a new water supply is found.

The discovery was made last week during routine testing of the young rainbows. The four-inch fish were not stocked in Utah waters.

Whirling disease affects trout and salmon, resulting in deformations and neurological damage.

The Division of Wildlife Resources says the infected fish are a small fraction of the fish raised in state hatcheries.