DPH: 4th human EEE death was incorrectly reported, fatality count back to 3

The fourth reported death from EEE in Massachusetts was incorrectly announced, dropping the number of fatalities back to three.

On the same night the fourth death was confirmed, an 11th person in the state was diagnosed with the disease

So far, the last person to die from EEE was a resident of Hampden County, the same county from where the 12th human case was confirmed.

After the death announcement on Wednesday night, towns in the area began taking extra precautions to ensure residents are safe.

PREVIOUS: Third Massachusetts EEE victim was from Hampden County, health officials say

Health officials confirmed that the eleventh person diagnosed with the disease in the state was a man in his 70s from Charlton.

Six towns within Worcester County have now had their EEE risk level elevated to 'high risk.' Those towns are Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, Leicester, Southbridge and Spencer.

On Tuesday night, the town of Manchester-By-The-Sea voted to ban all outdoor activities after 6 p.m. and sprayed for mosquitos on Wednesday night.

"I was pulling off the highway and I saw they were spraying for mosquitoes and I don't think they've done that since the 70's around here too so it's a real big deal," said one resident.

Leah Baker works for a landscaping company and says that, while EEE is serious, her company makes sure to protect its workers against the disease while out working, so she's not too worried about it.

"Gotta cover up and wear protection is all," said Baker. "[We're] very careful, we always spray, we put protection on and all that stuff and my boss pays for it, we make sure we're all good."

On Wednesday afternoon, the town tested mosquitos and found out they did test positive for EEE. Town officials say the threat won't be over until we experience at least two real frosts.

"It's a catch 22, beautiful weather equals mosquitoes breed," said Brandon Carroll, a resident.

More EEE content from Boston 25 News:

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