The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the regulation takes effect immediately. It prohibits commercial collection of bait fish from state waters where viral hemorrhagic septicemia has been confirmed. That includes Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Conesus Lake and the Saint Lawrence River, as well as tributaries.

Relatively common in continental Europe and Japan, the virus causes internal bleeding in fish but is believed to pose no threat to humans.

The DEC is sampling waters across the state, including all waters used as sources of brood stock for DEC hatcheries. Agency spokeswoman Maureen Wren said so far VHS has been confirmed only in the four waterways.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)