The Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the risk level for West Nile Virus (WNV) to high in many communities, urging residents to protect against the mosquito-borne disease.

“WNV findings in mosquitoes have accelerated rapidly over the last several weeks,” State Epidemiologist Catherine Brown said. “We are now in the peak time for transmission of mosquito-borne disease to people, and it is important for people to know that so they can take steps to protect themselves.”

Health officials raised the risk level for several municipalities, including Boston, due to “ongoing evidence of mosquito samples carrying the virus.” Since June 17, DPH said,168 WNV-positive mosquito samples have been detected across 12 Massachusetts counties.

One case of West Nile has also been confirmed in

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