UPDATE: Mosquito spraying scheduled in Dover, New Philadelphia, townships
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The Tuscarawas County and New Philadelphia Health Departments will be spraying for mosquitoes this week.
Spraying will take place from 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesday in Dover and Goshen and York townships. People with respiratory problems should try to remain indoors during those times. Residents can contact the health department to request to be put on a no-spray list.
Health officials says the spraying in the townships is related to a positive West Nile test in a pool of mosquitoes in New Philadelphia. The New Philadelphia Health Department will spray for mosquitoes on Thursday starting at 8:45 p.m. within a 1-mile radius of the positive test site near Bluebell Drive Northwest and Front Avenue Southwest (see map).
They will also spray around Tuscora Park and from Commercial Avenue to the Southside Community Park and Soccer Complex.
In addition, the Tuscarawas County Health Department on Wednesday reported two mosquito samples in Dover tested positive for West Nile virus.
Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Dover
DOVER — The Tuscarawas County Health Department (TCHD) was notified late on August 5, 2025, by the Ohio Department of Health that two mosquito samples have tested positive for the West Nile Virus as part of TCHD’s Mosquito Control Program. Both positive mosquito samples were collected on July 22, 2025, at the following locations: 1525 N. Crater Ave., Dover; and 897 E. Iron Ave., Dover.
The Health Department will be responding to the positive test results according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will be conducting its mosquito spraying in the City of Dover on Wednesday, August 6th, between the hours of 8 pm and 11 pm. A mosquito spraying notice for the City of Dover had already been announced by TCHD on Monday, August 4 as a preventive action. In the event of inclement weather, spraying will be postponed.
Persons with respiratory problems should take appropriate actions to remain indoors while spraying is occurring. The Tuscarawas County Health Department accepts requests for no-spray areas from all residents. To submit a no-spray request, please contact the TCHD Bureau of Environmental Health Services by phone at (330) 343-5550 or by email at eh@tchdnow.org.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. It is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent, or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Most people (8 out of 10) infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms. Febrile illness (fever) is experienced by some people. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
Prevention
Knowing mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virusand La Crosse Virus are active in the Tuscarawas County community, TCHD officials encourage residents to follow these guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health to take an active part in reducing the mosquito population:
- Use insect repellent when you go outdoors; and when weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent will provide extra protection.
- During peak mosquito biting hours from dusk to dawn, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
- Follow these tips to reduce mosquito activity in and around your property: install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside; use your air conditioning, if you have it; and help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths at least every three days.
Taking these steps will help protect against mosquito-borne diseases, including WNV, La Crosse Virus, and Zika Virus. For more details about the mosquito control program at the Tuscarawas County Health Department, please visit https://www.tchdnow.org/mosquito-control.html or call (330) 343-5550.