West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, two mosquito-borne illnesses, have returned to southern New England this summer. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Department of Health have found 17 cases of EEE and nine cases of West Nile Virus in mosquito samples. Incidents of EEE and WNV have also been found in neighboring counties in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including in some that directly border Rhode Island. Officials encouraged people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.