Tuscarawas County, Ohio - Two additional pools of mosquitoes collected in Tuscarawas County have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The Tuscarawas County Health Department has been conducting trapping for the Culex species of mosquito throughout the summer and was notified Thursday that two pools of mosquitos collected in York Township had tested positive for West Nile Virus. 

Tuscarawas County Health Commissioner Katie Seward says the positive pools were collected at St. Peter's Lutheran Church on Old Town Valley Road and along Joyce Hill Road. 

The announcement comes less than a week after the local health department learned that nine pools collected in the northern part of the county had tested positive for the virus. Those pools were collected at Zoar School House, Fort Laurens Museum, Bolivar Waterworks Park, Bolivar Commons Pool, Ridge Road Cemetery in Sandy Township, Christian Chapel Church in Zoarville, and residential areas on Indian Hill Drive NE in Bolivar, state Route 212 in Mineral City, and Raber Road in Fairfield Township. 

The Health Department has completed spraying those locations and will re-spray in approximately two weeks.   

Spraying will be conducted within a two-mile radius of the positive pool locations in York Township beginning on Monday, August 20, and will continue throughout the following week. 

Spraying will be postponed in the event of rain, high winds or cold temperatures. Persons with respiratory problems are advised to remain indoors while spraying is occurring. 

Residents are encouraged to follow the following guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health to protect against mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile Virus and Zika Virus:

Avoid mosquito bites. It is import to prioritize personal protection to prevent mosquito bites.

• Wear EPA-registered mosquito repellents whenever mosquitoes are present and follow label instructions.
• Wear long, loose, light-colored clothing.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.

Help reduce mosquito breeding around your home. Get rid of potential mosquito breeding sites to help prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

• Empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths.\
• Consider using products containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), available at many garden and home improvement stores, to control mosquito larvae in containers that are too large to empty.  Follow the label instructions.

Have all horses vaccinated against West Nile Virus.  All horse owners should vaccinate their animals against West Nile Virus. Contact your vet to find out more information on this important vaccine.

For information on mosquitos control activities or for up-to-date mosquito-borne disease information, visit www.tchdnow.org or call 330-343-5550.