Tuscarawas County, Ohio (WTUZ) – The Tuscarawas County Health Department issued a notice Monday morning that a pool of mosquitos tested positive for the West Nile Virus.
The Health Department has been conducting surveillance throughout the county since late spring by collecting traps of mosquitos.
Health Commissioner Katie Seward says this is the first positive result in Tuscarawas County this year.
“It’s really early in the season. We’ve had other positive pools throughout the state come back but this is the first one we’ve identified here in Tuscarawas County. And it was identified in Warren Township, specifically near the Warren Township garage.”
Seward added that the Health Department will be responding to the positive pool by following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Beginning Tuesday, July 10th, spraying will occur more than once within a two-mile radius in Warren Township.
The Health Department was also notified by the Ohio Department of Health of a high count trap in Uhrichsville near the Uhrichsville Water Park.
“What that means is that we just caught a lot of mosquitos in that trap. It doesn’t mean they were positive for any type of virus, specifically West Nile Virus. We have no positive pool there at this time, however, because we caught so many we think there is a chance there could be disease-carrying mosquitos and just nuisance mosquitos as well.”
Mosquito spraying will also begin on Tuesday in Uhrichsville near the water park. In addition, spraying will occur around 8:30pm at McCluskey Park in Dennison.
The Health Department recommends that residents avoid mosquito bites by wearing repellant, wear long and loose fit clothing, and install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep the mosquitos outside.
“Also try to reduce your mosquito breeding grounds, so that is by getting rid of standing water in flower pots, buckets, and bird baths. Things like that.”
Horse owners are also advised to contact their local veterinarian to have their animals vaccinated against the West Nile Virus. - Michele Spring Reporting