Ledyard High School has been forced to alter its athletic schedule after the Ledge Light Health District announced Tuesday that mosquitoes trapped in town tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, a rare but serious disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes.

Ledyard athletic director Jim Buonocore said the Colonels' first two home football games, Friday against Woodstock Academy and Friday, Sept. 20 against Griswold, have will both start at 4 p.m. at Bill Mignault Field instead of 6 p.m.

There will likely be changes in other home sporting events, too.

As a result of the positive test, no outdoor activities at Ledyard can begin prior to 8 a.m. and all must be completed before dusk, meaning events held prior to Sept. 21 must finish by 6:30 p.m. and after Sept. 21 by 6 p.m.

The restrictions will be evaluated again in October and won't be lifted until the first hard frost of the fall.

Ledyard is the second school to be affected by a positive EEE test. Buonocore said the school is not allowed to distribute bug repellent, so student-athletes and parents are encouraged bring their own.

Stonington announced a similar policy last week and changed its first two home games of the season — Friday vs. Montville and Sept. 20 vs. Bacon Academy — from 6 to 4 p.m.

The Bears have also altered schedules in other sports including the first round of the Third annual Josh Piver Cup boys' and girls' soccer tournaments, which begin on Saturday.