Local health departments in Mahoning and Trumbull counties will be receiving grants to go towards mosquito control, along with 43 additional health departments/sanitary districts in Ohio.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will distribute $795,070 in grant funding to help reduce mosquitos, including more than $139,000 to remove scrap tires which can become breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. The elimination of mosquito breeding areas will help mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika, West Nile and La Cross Encephalitis.

Mahoning Co. will receive the highest amount offered of $25,000 that will go towards mosquito surveillance, adult mosquito control, community outreach and contracted services. The city of Kent will also receive $25,000.

Trumbull Co. will receive $17,450 in funding that will go towards adult mosquito control and community outreach.

“Ohio EPA is pleased to continue offering funding for mosquito control measures that will help local health districts reduce the risks of mosquito-borne viruses in their communities, including cleaning up scrap tires that can become mosquito breeding grounds,” Ohio EPA Director Laurie A. Stevenson said.

Other regional areas that also will receive funding include the city of Alliance in Sgark Co., along with Portage Co.

In the last four years, Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Health have awarded $5.1 million to local health departments and communities for mosquito control programs.