City health officials say that the year's first cases of West Nile Virus-infected insects have been detected from trap pools in West Roxbury this week. While there have not yet been any reported human cases of the mosquito-borne illness, officials say that city residents should take greater precautions to avoid being bitten.

"It’s that time of year when it’s not unexpected to find mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus in the Boston area," said Dr. Anita Barry, director of the Infectious Disease Bureau at the Public Health Commission.

Last year, there were multiple cases of West Nile Virus detected in Dorchester traps. The Reporter detailed the health risks— and ways to prevent infection— in this article from last summer. The spread of West Nile often follows a west-east pattern across the city, so the detection in West Roxbury is an early warning of sorts for Dorchester and points east.

For more information on WNV, call the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5611 or visit www.bphc.org.