BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- A mysterious virus that attacks largemouth bass is showing up in Illinois and with the warmer weather approaching, anglers are being told they need to help curb the virus.

Fishermen are being asked to clean their equipment before they move from one area to another and being told not to transfer fish from one area to another.

Fish with largemouth bass virus are safe to handle and eat because the virus does not infect humans.

Largemouth bass virus was first discovered in Illinois fish hatcheries and in several lakes back in November.

The virus was first discovered in 1995, when it was linked to a fish kill in South Carolina.

The virus had been considered a problem mainly for southern lakes until this year. It recently has been found in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.