Victim in second fatal EEE case in Massachusetts identified by family members

BOSTON — The man in his 70s from Freetown, Mass. who died from EEE has been identified, according to family members of the victim.

Jim Longworth was the 10th confirmed human case of EEE in the state this year; with his death, Longworth is the second fatality from the disease in Mass.

State health officials confirmed Friday the 10th human case and the second death from Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Massachusetts.  A short time later, the town of Freetown, Massachusetts confirmed that the victim was a resident of the town.

The Department of Public Health also confirmed a man in his 50s from Plymouth County has been confirmed with West Nile Virus.

Officials had said Wednesday the ninth case of the mosquito-borne disease is in a man in his 70s from Essex County. There are now 35 communities at critical risk, 40 at high risk, and 128 at moderate risk for the EEE virus in Massachusetts.

More EEE content from Boston 25 News:

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