Health officials in Illinois said that mosquitoes found recently in a central Illinois county tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The mosquitoes were gathered on May 28 in Decatur and were the first found in central Illinois with west Nile in this year, reported WAND-TV in Decatur.

Usually, when one spend more time outdoors in summer doing outdoor activities, Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) reminds everyone to protect themselves and horses against West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus spreads through the bite of a mosquito that has contracted the virus from an infected bird.

In 2014, 142 human clinical cases and seven deaths were reported through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services division (DHHS) of public health.

Also, there were almost 1,100 positives cases of West Nile Virus in horses during the 2002 outbreak.

SWNPHD provided the data to DHHS by trapping mosquitoes in Chase and Red Willow counties. All the human cases in southwest Nebraska are investigated by DHHS and SWNPHD.

Melissa Propp, public health surveillance nurse at SWNPHD, said, "One of your best defenses of preventing West Nile Virus is to apply mosquito repellent. Mosquito repellent helps reduce your exposure to mosquitoes that may carry the virus".

As per health experts, using mosquito repellent will allow people to continue to play, work and enjoy the outdoors with a lower risk.

Some other precautions include wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks when outside for any activity.