PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rhode Island officials say a mosquito trapped in Warren earlier this month has tested positive for West Nile virus - the first positive test in the state this year.
Health and environmental officials announced the test results Thursday. They say the virus was found in a mosquito pool collected on Aug. 7 that bites both humans and birds.
The remaining 105 mosquito samples collected around the state Aug. 7 tested negative for both West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.
Health officials say West Nile virus can cause severe symptoms in less than 1 percent of cases, and in a few cases - mostly among the elderly - can cause death.
Officials urge people to take precautions including using insect repellent and limiting outdoor activity at dawn and dusk.
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