A bird found in Evanston has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first one this year, the city announced Thursday.

The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District collected and studied the bird earlier this week, the city said.

Although the city has not seen any human cases of the virus yet, the Evanston Health Department is urging residents to practice three “R’s”: reduce the time they spend outside, wear insect repellant when outdoors and report mosquito-friendly conditions such as standing water and flooded lawns.

The virus caused 12 deaths last year in Illinois, according to the state health department.

“Despite the lower level of West Nile Virus activity so far this year as compared to this time last year, we continue to emphasize mosquito prevention measures to Evanston residents,” health department director Evonda Thomas-Smith said in a news release.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Ald. Mark Tendam (6th) told residents to heed the health department’s advice.

“This whole area is particularly cursed with this virus, so please take every precaution that you can,” he said.

— Patrick Svitek