PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- State environmental officials say a mosquito sample in Tiverton has tested positive for the bird disease known as Highlands J virus.
The Department of Environmental Management said Monday the sample was from mosquitoes trapped on Aug. 13 in the southern part of Tiverton. The species of mosquito that tested positive bites birds.
Highlands J virus is a bird disease that doesn't affect humans, but finding it means conditions are right for the transmission of other mosquito-borne viruses, including West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis.
Officials said test results from the remaining 126 mosquito pools from 33 traps set statewide the week of Aug. 13 are negative for both diseases.
No human cases of West Nile or EEE have been reported in Rhode Island yet this year.