Published: July 04, 2008 09:53 am         

Fish virus invades Lake Michigan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it's discovered a fish-killing virus for the first time in the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan.

The agency has announced emergency regulations aimed at slowing the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS.

The new rules say anglers and boaters must completely drain equipment and empty buckets when they leave a body of water.

VHS has caused large fish kills elsewhere in the Great Lakes. It doesn't threaten humans, but causes fish to bleed to death.

Agency spokesman Chris McCloud says Great Lakes states are working together to contain the virus.