Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this season, state health officials announced Wednesday.

EEE is a rare but serious and sometimes deadly disease that can spread to humans through a mosquito bite. Survivors can suffer long-term neurological issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The mosquito that tested positive was found on July 21 in Belchertown in Hampshire County.

“When EEE is found in mosquitoes at this point in the season, the risk may increase throughout the rest of the summer. We rely on our mosquito surveillance program to monitor for the presence of virus to let people know when and where the risk is occu

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