North Stonington — Three mosquitoes in two town mosquito pools tested positive for eastern equine encephalitis last week, First Selectman Mike Urgo said Wednesday.

Urgo said the mosquitoes were in the Bell Cedar Swamp and Wyassup Lake. The state Department of Public Health also found mosquitoes with the virus in Hampton last month, but it hasn’t identified any human or animal cases.

The disease is a rare but serious one that is more likely to affect horses than humans, Urgo said, although one person died from it five years ago.

Urgo asked residents to take precautions including:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Minimizing time outdoors at dusk and dawn.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Ensuring door and window screens are tight-fitting and in good repair.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Wearing shoes, socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts. Clothing material should be tightly woven.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Using mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Using mosquito repellent when necessary — in a safe manner according to the label instructions.[/naviga:li]

[/naviga:ul]