Massachusetts: Study finds more people with E.E.E.

It’s mosquito season, and an alarming new study shows the number of Massachusetts residents contracting Eastern Equine Encelphalitis, has grown in recent years.

State health officials say nine people have come down with the mosquito-borne virus since 2006, following years without a human case.

That has scientists wondering whether something new’is happening, and a state panel is working on a report on the virus in humans.

E.E.E. has been the most prevalent in Southeastern Massachusetts, and health agents from several area towns have been calling on the state to do more aerial spraying for mosquitos.

That call has grown louder since an elderly Raynham resident died of the virus last year.

Health officials say its too early to say if more spraying is the right move, but that may change once the state report is released.