BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. () — For the first time in 20 years, someone in South Carolina has died by an infected mosquito carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and it happened in the Lowcountry.

Beaufort County Mosquito Control (BCMC) said they can’t confirm where in the county the person contracted the EEE virus. They have laid more traps and are actively testing mosquitoes from the area, including spraying to exterminate the large insect populations, setting and monitoring traps around the county and running tests in the lab. BCMC does those things regularly but now they’ve stepped up their efforts.

“It’s always terrible when you hear of a death, especially one from a rare mosquito borne disease,” said Robert Cartner, the Director for BCMC.

It’s rare, but out of 53 species present in the county, mosquito control said a few are known to carry the disease.

“We set six additional traps within the area surrounding the case where the person lives. And we’ll continue with our increased mosquito trapping in the area until we decide that there’s no risk,” said Cartner.

The team set the traps as soon as they got alert of the death. BCMC brought those mosquitos back to the lab to further analysis.

“They were tested for triple E, they were tested for West Nile virus, and they were tested for Saint Louis encephalitis virus,” said Cartner.

None have tested positive for EEE or any other viruses. But until there’s no risk to the public, officials still urge citizens to take proper precautions.

“If you have to be outside when mosquitoes are most active, make sure you wear insect repellent and EPA approved insect repellent. You can go to EPA’s website and see most of those are DEET or picaridin or lemon oil or eucalyptus,” said Cartner. “Wear light colored clothing, preferably a long sleeve. I know it’s hot. Not everybody wants to wear long sleeves and long pants to protect them, but mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.”

Mosquito control told News 3 this is the peak season for mosquito borne viruses. The mosquito season for the Lowcountry ends around November.