DANVERS- As they continue to wait for blood test results, the parents of a 4-year old girl who died last month say they believe her death was caused by Eastern equine encephalitis.

     Two confirmed cases of EEE, a mosquito-borne virus that can be fatal, have been reported in New Hampshire this summer.  But there are no confirmed human cases in Massachusetts, according to the state's Department of Public Health.

     After Shiyanne Thornell's death from encephalitis on July 26, a sample of her blood was sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.  Test results have not been returned, and state health officials will be immediately notified when they are, a spokeswoman said yesterday.

     Don Thronell, the 4-year old's father, said last night he feels strongly his daughter's encephalitis was caused by the mosquito-borne virus.

     "It's safe to say," Thornell said.  He and his wife, Joy, of Chestnut Street, have researched the subject on the internet and say they have consulted with Shiyanne's doctors.

     Shiyanne died July 26 after a bout of what first appeared to be the flu.  She suffered headaches, fevers and vomiting.  As her father tried to put her in her car seat to go to Beverly Hospital, Shiyanne suffered a seizure.  An ambulance later rushed her to Boston Children's Hospital, where she had many more seizures and eventually died.

     Symptoms of EEE include fever, headache, sore throat, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light.  There have been only 200 cases in humans nationwide since 1964.  Of the people who contract EEE, 35 percent will die from it, according to the CDC.

     On Sept. 28, which would have been Shiyanne's fifth birthday, the Thornells plan to dedicate a redbud tree and stone at Endicott Park.  Her parents have also created a Web site in her memory, www.shiyanne.com.