New Philadelphia, Ohio - The New Philadelphia Health Department reports that three additional pools of mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus. 

The department has been conducting trapping for the Culex species of mosquito throughout the summer, both in the city and in adjacent areas of Goshen Township, and learned Tuesday that pools of mosquitoes collected near the Southside Community Park, Possum Hollow Road, and the Goshen village cemetery had tested positive for the virus.

Environmental Health Director Lee Finley says the department has been responding to the recent positive results by spraying for mosquitoes in and around the area where the virus-positive traps were collected. He notes that spraying was conducted in the affected areas on Tuesday evening as part of a previously-scheduled spraying.

An additional spraying will be conducted next week, weather permitting, both within the city and in adjacent parts of Goshen Township. Larviciding will also continue in Goshen Township. 

To reduce their risk of exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses including Zika and West Nile, residents are encouraged to use mosquito repellant and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when going outdoors between dusk and dawn, to repair/install screens on open windows and doors, and to remove any standing water that may be located on their properties. 

Finely notes that spraying may be less effective due to recent cool weather, thus making personal precautions extremely important.

At this time, no individuals are known to have contracted the West Nile virus in Tuscarawas County. 

The New Philadelphia City Health Department can be reached by calling 330-364-4491 x1208.