Springfield, IL (KTRS)  Illinois is seeing its first West Nile mosquito activity of the year.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that a batch of mosquitoes in northern Illinois have tested positive for the mosquito-borne illness. West Nile virus can spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

It’s recommended to use a mosquito repellent when outside between dusk and dawn. It’s also important to remove standing water around homes and to repair or replace broken screens on windows.

Last year, Illinois had 77 human West Nile cases, with nine deaths.