The Massachusetts Department of Public Health raised the risk level for West Nile Virus to high in many communities, urging residents to protect against the mosquito-borne disease.

Local health officials say Chicago has reached a “high risk” level of the West Nile virus because mosquitoes are testing positive earlier and could lead to a longer lasting, heightened risk this

The risk level for West Nile virus in Boston has been raised to high, the Boston Public Health Commission said Wednesday.