Study: Eastern encephalitis rising in Mass.

RAYNHAM, Mass. (AP) -- A study on eastern equine encephalitis shows the number of people in Massachusetts who have contracted the mosquito-borne virus has been rising.

Massachusetts health officials say nine people have contracted EEE since 2006 after what they said were many years without one human case. A Raynham man died at age 80 after contracting the virus last September.

The Patriot Ledger reports (http://bit.ly/KGqEVb ) that Kevin Cranston of the state Department of Public Health says the appearance of the potentially fatal illness in Massachusetts has prompted scientists to ask if something is different. A state panel is working on a report on the virus in humans.

Health agents from 12 communities in southeastern Massachusetts where the illness has been prevalent are urging state health officials for more aerial spraying of pesticides to kill mosquitoes.