County Seeking Grant Funding for Zika Virus

The Zika virus has found its way to the United States, and now Centre County is taking initial steps to begin monitoring the local mosquito populations just in case the virus reaches Pennsylvania.

According to Matt Milliron, Centre County’s senior planner, a grant through the state Department of Environmental Protection has become available for surveillance, control and education in regards to mosquitos and the Zika virus. Centre County commissioners will seek a grant in the amount of $16,524.28 for the project.

‘We already have the surveillance part of this under way,’ said Milliron. ‘On July 1, we set out traps designed specifically to capture the types of mosquitos the (Centre for Disease Control) believe are the main carriers of the virus.’

Milliron said the planning office has been setting the traps out several evenings each week, and thus far has not produced any Aedes albopictus or Aedes aegypti bugs.

‘We haven’t caught anything yet, but we will continue trapping into October,’ he said.

For control, the grant will help the county treat the breeding grounds of mosquitos, which is designed to kill the insect’s larvae, Milliron said

If populations become too high, pesticides will be used in the affected areas; however, he noted the planning office wants to stay away from the use of pesticides as much as possible.

He said the educational part of the program will teach county residents how to prevent areas around their homes from attracting a mosquito population, which includes the treatment or complete removal of standing water on properties.

‘This program mirrors our West Nile Virus program,’ commented Milliron. ‘And, there will be a lot of overlap.’ Milliron said county residents don’t need to be too concerned about contracting the Zika virus soon.

‘I think our risk is pretty low,’ he said.

In other business, the commissioners:

■ Proclaimed Wednesday, Sept. 7, as Grace Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten Recognition Day

■ Approved a liquid fuels payment in the amount of $19,000 to Port Matilda Borough for street paving

■ Approved a memorandum of understanding for the final land development plan for the University Park Airport’s Pennsylvania State Police hangar, to be located at the airport in Benner Township.