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Horse in Sussex County Euthanized for Equine Encephalitis

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DOVER, Del. (AP) - Agriculture officials say a horse in Sussex County has been euthanized after testing positive for eastern equine encephalitis.

The Department of Agriculture said Thursday that the yearling filly had signs of severe neurologic disease and was put down despite receiving veterinary care.

Officials said the last case of EEE, a mosquito-borne disease, in Delaware was reported in 2005.

State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst urged owners to get their horses vaccinated against EEE and West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.