About 50% of mosquito trap sites tested in the county over the past two weeks were positive for the virus, according to Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) officials.

"Mosquito trap sites collect a pool of mosquitoes from a specific area; if one mosquito in a trap tests positive, regardless of how many mosquitoes are in the trap, the trap site is considered positive," officials said.

County and health officials consider it a higher risk for West Nile transmission when 50% or more of mosquito trap sites test positive for the virus for two consecutive weeks.

The virus spreads through mosquito bites but cannot be transmitted through person-to-person contact. Health officials emphasized that West Nile cannot spread through coughing, sneezing, touching, or by eating infected animals

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