Commonly Infected Wildlife
Fish. Large, adult walleye are the most commonly affected, although the disease has also been reported in adult perch.
Is This Animal Infected?
The diseased flesh appears tough, granular, coarse, and yellow to brown, often resembling freezer-burned meat.
Can I Get It?
There is no known transfer to humans, but this disease has not been well studied.
How Bad Can It Get?
Humans are not known to be at risk for sandy flesh.
Symptoms in Humans
There are no known symptoms.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Protect Myself and Others
- Dispose of fish in a trash receptacle, or bury it.
- Do not discard in a water body, as the cause of this disease and its means of spread are unknown.
Safe for Pets?
No. The link between this disease and other animals is not known, so consumption by pets is not recommended.
What Causes It?
Sandy Flesh Disease is a form of myofibrogranuloma, it is believed to lead to muscle degeneration, similar to muscle dystrophy in humans. Sandy Flesh Disease is not well understood, and the cause and mode of transmission are unknown. It is thought to result from a combination of genetic factors and environmental stressors.
The only confirmed report in Missouri to date, was in 2019 at Table Rock Lake in an adult Walleye. However, in 2024, Arkansas has reported findings of Sandy Flesh found in Walleye in Bull Shoals Lake, which does span into Missouri. Although rare, reports of the disease are common in the Midwest.