Request Treatment/Report Mosquito Breeding Areas

Call 740-454-9741 extension 300. Calls are retrieved daily to set treatment schedules.

Beginning in May, click here to view areas that have been treated.

Mosquitoes are very active this time of year. West Nile Virus (WNV) and La Crosse Encephalitis remain a threat in Muskingum County.  It is important for residents to remember that we can all take action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department advises all residents to DRAIN and PROTECT in an effort to reduce the mosquito population and prevent West Nile Virus and La Crosse Encephalitis:

DRAIN

  • Look for and drain sources of standing water on your property – litter, tires, buckets, flower pots, wading pools and similar items that could create standing water and become mosquito breeding sites.
  • Frequently change water in bird baths and pet bowls.
  • Drain small puddles after heavy rainstorms.

PROTECT

  • Cut your grass and trim shrubbery.
  • Make sure screens in windows and doors are tight-fitting and free from defect.
  • Wear long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours – dawn and dusk.
  • Use an EPA-registered insect repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon or eucalyptus. Always follow the directions on the package.

WNV is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It is important to note that most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito will never become sick. Everyone, however, should be aware of the symptoms of WNV. Symptoms may develop two-14 days after someone is bitten by an infected mosquito.

No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 70-80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will display symptoms which can include fever, headache and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have been sick for several weeks.

Serious Symptoms in a Few People.  Less than one percent of people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

While all residents of areas where virus activity has been identified are at risk, people over age 50 have the highest risk of developing severe WNV infections. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation.

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