HARTFORD -- The Department of Public Health confirmed Tuesday that a third person has died after contracting the EEE virus.
Officials also said a fourth person has contracted the virus. The Department said the CDC confirmed EEE to be the cause of illness for a resident of Colchester who became ill during the third week of August and who remains hospitalized. This person is between 40 and 49 years of age.
An East Haddam resident died during the third week of September. The EEE virus has now been detected in humans, birds or horses in 23 Connecticut towns, most of which are east of the river.
This comes at a time when South Windsor officials canceled a major fundraising event. South Windsor canceled it's Haunted Torch Walk for later in the month because of EEE concerns.
Last month, Connecticut recorded the second human case of EEE ever reported in the state. Both people who contracted the virus have died.
Both individuals were over the age of 70. The last time there was a CT outbreak was 2013 and one person died.
Dr. Theodore Andreadis Dir., CAES said, "We are clearly on the decline, Mosquitoes don’t actively bite below 59 degrees."
Massachusetts public health officials have confirmed 12 human cases of EEE. Three residents have died. Rhode Island has confirmed three human cases and one death.
Health officials continue to urge residents to use insect repellent, cover bare skin and avoid the outdoors at dusk and dawn.