Health department receives mosquito control grant

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The warmer months are upon us which means the bugs are too and the health department is focused on one familiar blood sucking insect.

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department received a $31,000 mosquito control grant from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The grant money is for mosquito control activities such as pesticide spraying and educating the public.

“Things the public can do to help themselves are remove any sources of standing water, avoid high biting times which would be the late evening and early nighttime, also to wear long clothing and if possible use a repellent such as DEET to prevent mosquito exposure,” said Matt Hemmer, registered sanitarian with the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department.

Hemmer said that though mosquitoes in the area are not known to naturally carry diseases such as West Nile or Zika, the threat is still possible to be spread through travel. A reason he said why the grant is so important for the community.

“Muskingum County is very lucky to have a mosquito control program. It is a big asset to our public health by preventing disease transmission,” said Hemmer.

The health department also accepts requests for areas to be sprayed. Problem areas can also be reported on their website.

For more information on mosquito protection,  prevention or to request spraying you can visit  www.zmchd.org.