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MA Health Officials Confirm More Cases of Mosquito-borne Illness

State health officials are confirming a fourth case of Eastern equine encephalitis in Massachusetts.

The Department of Health said Thursday the Plymouth County man in his 60s is hospitalized.

Officials also announced a 14th case of West Nile virus, in a Hampden County man in his 50s who has been discharged from a hospital.

Both illnesses are carried by mosquitoes.

A Worcester County man in his 70s died of EEE last month.

Because of the new cases, the DPH raised the mosquito threat level for EEE to "high" in Duxbury, Marshfield, Norwell and Plymouth, and urged cancellation of outdoor evening activities. The West Nile threat was raised to "high" in Agawam, Easthampton, Hadley, Northampton, Southampton, and Westfield.

Other communities around the state have already been designated at higher risk for the mosquito-borne diseases.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Lucas Willard is a news reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011. He produces and hosts The Best of Our Knowledge and WAMC Listening Party.
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