Tuscarawas County, Ohio (WTUZ) – The Tuscarawas County Health Department was notified Monday of four additional pools of mosquitos that tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
This comes after the first initial pool was discovered earlier this month in Warren Township. Health officials have been conducting surveillance throughout the county since late spring by collecting traps of mosquitos.
Director of Environmental Health Caroline Terakedis says that, while there were four pools that tested positive, the pools were obtained from two locations only.
“Three of the four pools were located in McClusky Park in Dennison. This is all one night’s worth of mosquitos. The pools are right around 50 mosquitos each, so three pools that we took that night each had West Nile Virus in it. And the other additional pool was at Thornwood Park in Dennison.”
The Health Department will be responding to the positive pools by following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Beginning Thursday, July 19th, spraying will occur more than once within a two-mile radius of the positive locations.
“Do those things that you can do to avoid mosquito bites. Wear insect repellant, wear long and loose fit clothing, and install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep the mosquitos outside.”
Horse owners are also advised to contact their local veterinarian to have their animals vaccinated against the West Nile Virus. - Michele Spring Reporting