BOSTON (AP) _ Public health officials say West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito in Massachusetts for the first time this year.

The state Public Health Department announced Thursday that West Nile was detected in a mosquito collected in the Berkshire County town of Sheffield.

No human or animal cases of West Nile or eastern equine encephalitis have been detected so far this year and there is no elevated risk level.

State Public Health Veterinarian Catherine Brown says, however, that the finding should serve as a reminder for people to take proper precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illness.

Last year, there were six human cases of the potentially deadly West Nile virus in Massachusetts.