11th Human Case Of EEE Confirmed In Mass.

BOSTON (CBS) – The Department of Public Health has confirmed an 11th human case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. A man in his 70s from Charlton tested positive for the virus. As a result, the communities of Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, Leicester, Southbridge and Spencer have been elevated to high risk.

CHECK: Map Of Communities At Risk

"Although mosquito populations are declining at this time of year, risk from EEE will continue until the first hard frost," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown. "We continue to emphasize the need for people to protect themselves from mosquito bites."

Three people have died from EEE in Massachusetts this year.

There are 35 communities now at critical risk, 46 at high risk, and 122 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts.

Manchester-by-the-Sea held an emergency Board of Health meeting Tuesday night to sign off on town wide spraying that began Wednesday.

"I'm just grateful that we're trying to take care of it," said Denise Meyer. "Such a very sad scary thing for so many people."

A mosquito tested positive for the virus in the community Wednesday.

Last week a Manchester-by-the-Sea man in his 70s tested positive for the mosquito borne illness. He is well known around town. All outdoor activities in Manchester-by-the-Sea have been suspended after 6 p.m. until further notice.

UPDATE 9/26/19: This report has been updated after the Department of Public Health said it was incorrectly notified of a fourth death from EEE. The DPH said "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 as of (Thursday)."