A fourth person in Massachusetts has contracted EEE, the rare but dangerous mosquito-borne virus

A fourth person in Massachusetts has been infected with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), a rare but dangerous mosquito-borne virus that causes brain swelling in humans.

An unnamed woman over 50 is the fourth human case of EEE in the state since the beginning of August, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said.

The other cases this month are that of two men over 60 and another man between 19 and 30.

This is the first time EEE cases have been reported in the state since 2013. CNN has left phone and email messages with the state health department’s spokeswoman to ask about the cause — and is yet to hear back.

In Florida and Delaware, the virus has been detected in sentinel chickens, though neither state has seen any cases reported in humans.

EEE kills one-third of those infected

EEE is rare but potentially fatal. Anywhere from 5 to 10 human cases are reported every year, but about 30% of all cases are fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The illness can cause brain swelling preceded by flu-like symptoms, including a high fever, chills and nausea. Severe cases could result in seizures or a coma that can cause brain damage, the CDC said.

The CDC recommends residents of impacted areas load up on repellant and avoid the outdoors after dark to lessen their risk.