According to the Minnesota Department of Health, West Nile virus has become increasingly widespread in the state since it was first detected in 2002. The type of mosquito most likely to carry the virus is typically found in open areas like farmland and prairie.

DENVER ( KDVR) — The first trace of the West Nile virus this season was found in Denver through a positive mosquito sample. On Thursday, the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment announced that the virus was found through routine mosquito sample testing. This marks the first detection of the season for the city.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CBS-KFGO) – The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District said Thursday that it found mosquitoes in Minnesota’s Anoka and Carver counties with West Nile virus. “The mosquito-borne disease risk tends to elevate as we get late into the summer,” said the district’s Alex Carlson.