West Nile virus has been detected in Tisbury.

The Tisbury board of health announced Friday that a mosquito collected in the Veteran’s Memorial Park area on August 4 tested positive for the virus, per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH).

“Tisbury is still considered to be low risk,” the board wrote.

Infected mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus to humans by biting them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80 per cent of people infected show no symptoms, but some may develop flu-like symptoms including fever, vomiting or a rash. Severe infection is more likely in those older than 50.

Tisbury health agent Drew Belsky told the Gazette that this is the only recorded case of West Nile in a Vineyard mosquito this year, according to available state data. The Gazette last reported a detection on August 8 of last year, also in Tisbury.

“Almost a year ago to the day, we had a positive test,” Mr. Belsky said. “It seems like it’s just that time of year.”

The board of health recommends taking cautions to avoid mosquito bites, including wearing full-coverage clothing and bug repellant, especially during peak mosquito hours from dusk to dawn. It also advised against leaving standing water around.

“While the Tisbury Board of Health continues to work closely with the [Massachusetts Department of Public Health] and other agencies, locally we continue to perform weekly surveillance trapping to assess risk area,” the board’s statement reads.

The board urged the public to contact Patrick Roden-Reynolds, Dukes County’s public health biologist and mosquito surveillance coordinator, with any questions or concerns.

“Making sure people are aware and can react accordingly ... is the most important part about all of this,” Mr. Belsky said.