PORTLAND, Maine — Mosquitoes in Portland have tested positive for the West Nile Virus, according to state health officials.

It's the first mosquito-borne virus found in a Maine mosquito pool this year. A mosquito pool is a group of no more than 50 mosquitoes collected through regular surveillance testing, occurring in targeted locations across the state in the summer and fall.

Four wild birds also tested positive for West Nile Virus this year from the Kennebec, Sagadahoc, and York Counties.

Despite the dry conditions this summer, Maine CDC director Dr. Puthiery Va said mosquitoes that carry the virus thrive in this climate. Mosquitoes will lay eggs in any standing water, even in a bottle cap of water. Va recommended removing artificial sources of standing water, like bird baths, pet dis

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