First human death from EEE reported

WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health says a Worcester County man has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

According to a news release from the DPH, the man in his 70's was admitted to the hospital in early August and died several days later.  The diagnosis of EEE was not confirmed until an autopsy was completed.  This is the first confirmed death from EEE in a Massachusetts resident this year.  It was the second recorded case in a human.

Health officials have also confirmed that a second case of EEE in a horse this year.  The animal was stabled in Belchertown.  Health officials have now raised the EEE threat level to "critical" in Belchertown and to "high" in Amherst, Pelham, New Salem, and Ware.

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