NATCHEZ &8212; A bird tested positive for the West Nile Virus

in Adams County Friday, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Health said Friday.

The disease is carried from animal to animal by mosquitoes.

&8220;This time of year is peak season for West Nile,&8221; Department of Health Spokeswoman Liz Sharlot said Friday. &8220;We do this as a surveillance to track the disease.&8221;

Sharlot said people should not panic over the news.

&8220;It&8217;s all over the state. They don&8217;t need to be more worried, they don&8217;t need to be less worried,&8221; Sharlot said. &8220;They just need to be careful.&8221;

Sharlot recommended people wear protective clothing, use insect repellent with DEET and get rid of standing water that can breed mosquito larvae.

Symptoms of West Nile can be flu-like, fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle weakness or swollen lymph nodes, Sharlot said.

&8220;Many of us may be exposed and not even know it,&8221; she said. &8220;We find those who are elderly or immunosuppressed are most vulnerable. It&8217;s nothing for people to be scared about.&8221;

The county will provide larvacide, a chemical that kills mosquito larvae when put in standing water, free to anyone, County Supervisors President Darryl Grennell said. It can be picked up at the road department office on Liberty Road.