A mosquito sample taken from Tiverton last week has tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The positive sample was collected by the state Department of Environmental Management and Department of Health last Tuesday, Sept. 5, and the virus was confirmed by testing later in the week. The Tiverton sample was among 11 positives found in five towns across the state —Barrington, Johnston, Richmond, Westerly and Tiverton.

Rhode Island’s West Nile Virus risk level is now considered high, according to DEM spokesman Mike Healey. Humans can only contract the virus through a bite from an infected mosquito, and Healey said that Rhode Islanders should continue protecting themselves from mosquito bites until the first hard frost of autumn.

West Nile Virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat the virus in people. Fortunately, Healey said, most infected with West Nile do not feel sick, though about one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

For more information on what you can do to protect yourself against West Nile, see the Department of Health website.