FARMVILLE — The Virginia Department of Health is offering tips on how to combat mosquitos in an effort to protect residents against the Zika virus.

“So far, there have not been any cases in the U.S. where the Zika virus disease was contracted from local mosquitoes, but there is a risk of Zika being imported into Virginia,” the release stated. “When the weather warms, mosquitoes arrive looking for a blood meal and could transmit a mosquito-borne illness such as Zika or West Nile virus.”

The department encourages residents to eliminate standing water outside, treat containers with larvicide, consider using insecticides, wearing insect repellents covering exposed skin and keeping window and door screens in good repair.