A Granite Stater has died from EEE as the region faces an outbreak from the serious disease transmitted by infected mosquitos.

This death reported in New Hampshire comes after a man in Massachusetts tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, along with a horse and dozens of mosquito samples. As a result, the Bay State is conducting aerial and truck-mounted ground spraying for mosquitoes in Plymouth and Worcester counties.

New Hampshire health officials said they identified an adult from Hampstead — near the Massachusetts border — who tested positive for EEE. The person was hospitalized due to severe central nervous system disease, and later died.

Before this outbreak, the last reported human EEE infection in New Hampshire was in 2014 when health officials identified three human infections, including two fatalities.

“In New Hampshire, mosquitos transmit infections including Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, and Jamestown Canyon Virus,” said State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan.

“We believe there is an elevated risk for EEEV infections this year in New England given the positive mosquito samples identified,” Chan added. “The risk will continue into the fall until there is a hard frost that kills the mosquitos. Everybody should take steps to prevent mosquito bites when they are outdoors.”

EEE can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and joint pain. EEE can also cause severe neurological disease, such as inflammation of the brain and membranes around the spinal cord (including encephalitis and meningitis).

About 33% of all people who develop encephalitis from EEE die from their infection, and many others experience life-long physical or mental impacts. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for EEE.

People can prevent EEE infection by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites, including using effective mosquito repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants when outside, and avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning and evening hours when mosquitos are most active.

It’s also important for residents to remove standing water from around their homes to reduce mosquito populations, and ensure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes.