BOSTON -- A horse from Peabody has been diagnosed with Eastern equine encephalitis, the Department of Public Health announced Thursday.

The diagnosis of EEE infection was confirmed by the New Hampshire State Vector-Borne Disease Laboratory. The 1-year-old horse developed symptoms on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 19.

As a result of this finding, the EEE risk level in the town of Peabody has been increased from "remote" to "high." Risk levels in the four neighboring towns of Danvers, Middleton, Lynnfield and North Reading have increased from "remote" to "low."

“This latest development is an indication that we have reached the next level of risk for EEE,” said DPH State Epidemiologist Dr. Alfred DeMaria. “Horses and humans tend to get infected later in the mosquito season, once the virus has multiplied enough in birds and mosquitoes. The fact that a horse has gotten sick from EEE means that people are at increased risk as well.”

There was one human case of EEE during 2008; however there were 13 cases with six deaths from 2004 through 2006.

EEE is a serious disease in people of all ages and can even cause death. The virus is usually spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While peak mosquito season is behind us, residents are reminded that mosquitoes continue to be present until the first hard frost.