BROOKHAVEN — Mississippi Department of Health reported a mosquito sample in Lincoln County came back positive for West Nile Virus last week. It is important to note the figure is not a positive case of West Nile and there are no new positive samples this week.

One Rankin County resident has a positive case of West Nile Virus the MSDH reports. Statewide there are 26 positive samples from mosquitos with 19 of them in Harrison County. The total is 13 positive samples more than last week.

Samples are taken from trapped mosquitos in counties where higher West Nile Virus cases have occurred in the past few years. The samples are tested in a lab. WNV positive mosquitos indicate the disease is circulating in the state. All residents should take precautions.

Residents can protect themselves with recommended mosquito repellant, covering arms and legs with long sleeves and pants, avoid mosquito prone areas at mornings and evenings when mosquitos are most active and remove standing water from around your home.

Vector Disease Control International works in Brookhaven to keep residents safe by trapping and testing mosquitos for West Nile, spraying and other treatments.