Chillicothe, OH – The Ross County Health District (RCHD) has been granted $25,000 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (OEPA) Mosquito Control Grant (MCG), marking a significant stride in the region’s efforts to combat mosquito-borne diseases. The funding, designated for the Environmental Division, will be utilized from May 2024 to April 2025.
A total of $1,060,682 has been dispersed to 58 health departments and municipalities across 47 counties in Ohio. Notably, $188,368 of the allocated funds will specifically target the removal of scrap tires, recognized as prime breeding grounds for mosquito larvae.
The OEPA’s Mosquito Control Grant program, a collaborative endeavor between the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health, aims to empower local governments in monitoring and mitigating the risk of mosquito-borne viruses, including West Nile virus, La Crosse Encephalitis, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
In Ross County, the grant will facilitate various initiatives focusing on breeding source reduction, community outreach, larval control, and mosquito trapping. Among the forthcoming endeavors is the RCHD’s 2024 Tire Drive, scheduled for October 19, 2024, at the Ross County Fairgrounds, running from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This initiative seeks to curb mosquito breeding sources by addressing the disposal of scrap tires.
Kelly Spindler, the Environmental Health Director at RCHD, underscores the importance of community engagement in mosquito prevention efforts. “You can help prevent mosquito bites by being diligent to rid your yard of mosquito breeding sites,” Spindler emphasizes. “Eliminate areas that can hold stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs by removing or turning over empty containers or pots and by turning over wheelbarrows and kiddie pools when not in use. Emptying birdbaths once a week, keeping gutters clean, and removing old tires can also help tremendously in reducing mosquito breeding sites.”
For further information and guidance on mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases, residents are encouraged to reach out to the Ross County Health District.
