A bass with big mouth jumps and tries to launch the hook of a fisherman.(Photo: Paul A. Smith)

GREENBUSH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A largemouth bass virus that affected fish in the early 2000s in the lakes of southern Michigan was confirmed in a lake in the northeast peninsula of Michigan.

The state's Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that the virus was involved in the destruction of fish at Cedar Lake, in Alcona and Iosco counties. Other lakes are in the study.

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The DNR indicates that the virus is part of the 100 natural viruses that affect fish and that it is closely related to viruses found in frogs and other amphibians. It is thought that live anglers, infected fish or the use of gear or contaminated boats spread between waterways.

The virus is not known to affect humans and the DNR says that infected fish can be eaten safely if they are well cooked.

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