EEE Found In Deer In Coventry

COVENTRY, RI — A deer in Coventry has tested positive for Eastern equine encephalitis, the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Environmental Management said Tuesday. The discovery follows the weekend death of a West Warwick man who contracted EEE. It was the only human case of the virus in the state so far this summer.

Deer hunting season begins Sept. 15, so DEM will reach out to hunters to provide tips for field dressing. EEE is not considered to be a threat to the state's deer population.

"The transmission of EEE to deer reinforces that 2019 is a higher-than-average risk year for mosquito-borne disease," the release said.

Mosquitoes transmit EEE to deer and humans.

A second deer was suspected to have EEE in Richmond. Town officials the deer has not been tested yet and the state does not have any plans to spray pesticides.

On Tuesday night, aerial mosquito spraying was set to wrap up in the last targeted zone, which covers the southwest corner of the state in parts of Westerly, Hopkinton and Charlestown. Ground fog prevented spraying in the area Monday.

In Massachusetts, seven people — including a 5-year-old girl — have contracted EEE this summer.