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TULSA—Health officials have trapped a mosquito that tested positive for the West Nile virus.

As of Thursday afternoon, there have not been confirmed cases of t he virus in humans in Tulsa County, according to a Tulsa Health Department news release.

West Nile virus is typically transmitted between birds and mosquitoes, but the virus can be transmitted to humans. The illness caused by the virus is typically characterized by a fever, headache, drowsiness, nausea and a rash.

The department' s seasonal campaign to trap and test the insects and guard against the spread of West Nile began in late April.

Health officials report that an often-asked question about the insect carriers of the West Nile virus is whether they can carry COVID-19. Global and national health officials report that there is no evidence that COVID19 transmit sin such a manner.

“COVID-19 is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or t al ks, ” Tulsa health officials state in a news release. “Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile virus, so we strongly encourage t he use of insect repellent containing DEET to protect yourself.”

Mosquito es maybe plentiful this year as the spring has been wetter than normal. Residents are encouraged to empty containers that may hold stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding around their property.

The seasonal surveillance of mosquitoes aims to find them, determine t heir population, what species they are and make risk assessments. July through October in Oklahoma are typically the highest risk months for exposure to West Nile virus.

Tulsa Health Department Vector Control Program Coordinator Scott Meador said that a positive test in a mosquito this early in the surveillance is not an indicator of the virus' prevalence in the Tulsa region.

“We begin our surveillance program in early May with the goal is to catch potential West Nile positive mosquitoes as early as possible,” Meador said.

“Our mosquito surveillance program recently implemented new testing guidelines and has adjusted the initiation date of surveillance and testing.”