Rhode Island officials are warning that West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in the state for the first time this year.
The state Department of Environmental Management said on Thursday that a sample of mosquitoes collected July 25 in Pawtucket tested positive for the virus.
The agency says the finding is not unexpected because the virus has also been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
More mosquitoes are now being trapped in the Pawtucket area to test for the virus.
The agency advises people to increase efforts to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using repellent and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, including anything that holds standing water.
Another mosquito-borne disease, eastern equine encephalitis, has not been detected in Rhode Island this year but was found in southeastern Massachusetts last month.
