A mosquito sample collected July 4 in Raynham, Mass., tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), the first sign of the virus this year, state health officials said Friday (July 6).

There have been no human (or equine) cases of the disease so far.

Officials said while the virus is appearing earlier than usual, overall mosquito numbers are down for this time of year.

There were five human cases of the virus in 2006, with two deaths. The virus is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The type of mosquitoes that usually carry the virus is found in freshwater, hardwood swamps, such as those found in southeastern Massachusetts