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Massachusetts health officials are saying the mosquito-borne disease Eastern equine encephalitis has been discovered in mosquitoes for the first time this year.

The state public health department announced Wednesday that the first positive mosquito sample was found Monday in Lakeville.

The potentially fatal disease is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

State epidemiologist Dr. Alfred DeMaria warned that the positive sample is a sign that EEE could occur elsewhere in the state.

There have been no human cases of EEE or West Nile virus so far this year.

The first mosquito case of West Nile was discovered June 30.

From 2004 through 2006 there were 13 human cases of EEE, including six deaths.

There was one human case in 2008, but none last year.