Third Massachusetts resident dies from EEE

By Kay Lazar, Globe Staff

A 76-year-old Georgetown man, hospitalized with Eastern equine encephalitis, died Thursday of his illness, according to town officials, the third Massachusetts resident this year to die from the mosquito-borne disease.

The man, who has not been publicly identified by health officials, became ill in early September, according to state Department of Public Health records.

Georgetown, one of six North Shore communities that have since been designated as “critical” by state health officials for the “extreme” likelihood of more human infections, has cancelled all outdoor activities on town-owned property between 3 and 9 p.m. until the first hard frost.

Five other communities in the area have been designated as a “high” risk, which means more infections are also likely.

State health officials last week announced this season’s seventh case of Eastern equine, in a Plymouth County youngster, who was not hospitalized and was recovering. Last year there were just two EEE infections, including one death.