whirling disease

noun whirl·ing disease \ ˈhwər-liŋ- , ˈwər- \

Updated on: 19 Mar 2018

Definition of whirling disease

: an infectious often fatal disease especially of young salmonid fishes (such as trout and salmon) that is caused by a protozoan (Myxobolus cerebralis synonym Myxosoma cerebralis) and is marked by skeletal deformities and a tendency to swim in circles

Recent Examples of whirling disease from the Web

At least two diseases made the list: white nose syndrome, which infects bats, and whirling disease, which attacks fish.

— Fox News, "Western US governors take aim at worst invasive species," 15 Mar. 2018
At least two diseases made the list: white nose syndrome, which infects bats, and whirling disease, which attacks fish.

— Washington Post, "Feral cats make Western Governor’s list of invasive species," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whirling disease.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of whirling disease

1946

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

whirling disease

noun whirl·ing disease \ ˈhwər(-ə)l-iŋ- , ˈwər(-ə)l- \

medical Definition of whirling disease

: an infectious often fatal disease of salmonid fish (as trout and salmon) that is caused by a protozoan (Myxobolus cerebralis synonym Myxosoma cerebralis) of the order Myxosporidia which attacks cartilage of the head and spinal cord especially of young fish and that causes the fish to swim in circles and is marked by skeletal deformities