BOSTON (AP) - State public health officials say a fourth Massachusetts resident has died of the mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis virus.

The state Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that the latest victim was an Essex County resident. No additional information about the person was disclosed.

Officials also say they have confirmed an 11th human case of the virus, a Worcester County man in his 70s.

As a result, the communities of Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, Leicester, Southbridge and Spencer have been elevated to high risk for the disease. There are now 35 communities in the state at critical risk, 46 at high risk, and 122 at moderate risk.

State epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown says residents should continue to protect themselves from mosquito bites until the first hard frost.

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