A Wayland mosquito pool tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) on Aug. 1, according to a press release from the Wayland Board of Health.

This positive test comes about one month earlier than the first positive test in 2011, which was completed on Aug. 30. WNV has also been found in Framingham.

The Board of Health usually works with the Eastern Middlesex Mosquito Control Project to treat against mosquito larva in the early spring. That treatment did not occur this year, however, because of the extremely dry conditions in early spring.

The press release states that Wayland is still considered a low-risk area for mosquito-borne illnesses, but the Board of Health is recommending residents avoid getting mosquito bites.

Mosquitoes in Wayland pose a health threat, particularly for WNV, from now until early October or the first frost.

Symptoms of mosquito-borne illnesses such as WNV or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) can include fever, headache, stiff neck and sore muscles. Eastern Equine Encephalitis was found in Sudbury on July 18.

The full Board of Health press release, which includes preventative tips, is attached as a PDF.