State Erroneously Reported 4th EEE Death

PEABODY, MA — The state's Department of Public Health said Thursday it had erroneously reported a fourth death of a Massachusetts resident from Eastern equine encephalitis. The department had originally said on Wednesday that an Essex County resident had died from the mosquito-borne virus.

"Based on an incorrect report filed by a hospital, DPH has been notified that the fourth death was improperly reported and the official death count remains at three people," the department said in a statement.

Separately on Thursday, DPH said had Hampden County woman in hers 70s had contracted the virus. It was the 12th human case of EEE this season.

The third fatality in Massachusetts was confirmed Tuesday. A Bristol County man in his 70s died last week from the virus and a Fairhaven woman also died from the virus. A 5-year-old Sudbury girl nearly died from the illness before recovering.

There are 35 communities at critical risk, 40 at high risk, and 128 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts. While EEE cases in humans are rare, it can be fatal or cause serious neurological problems.

Find more information on EEE in Massachusetts.