Animals and Insects
According to the CDC, 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases come from animals. Recognizing this, the Jackson County Health Department works to protect the public from disease through surveillance, education, and control measures where appropriate. The safety of the public and our staff is a priority for the Health Department.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a potential carrier of many diseases that affect humans, including Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, and La Crosse Encephalitis. The Jackson County Health Department conducts many activities to prevent mosquito-borne disease transmission, including observational community surveys, education/advertisements, larval mosquito surveillance and control, adult mosquito surveillance and control, and human/animal disease surveillance.
Animals Bites/Rabies
Rabies is a very serious disease that affects animals and humans and can result in death if left untreated. Recognizing the dangers associated with rabies, the Jackson County Health Department works to protect the public from the threat of rabies. This is performed by monitoring bite/exposure events, investigating exposures, prohibiting wild/exotic animals in the Health Department, and requiring residents to vaccinate their pets against rabies.
Ticks
Ticks are carriers of a number of diseases that can affect humans, including Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. To prevent tick-borne disease, the Jackson County Health Department provides education and surveillance and responds to human disease occurrence. To aid residents in protection from ticks, the Health Department provides the following advice in the acronym TICKS: Treat clothing or skin with repellants; Inspect yourself, clothing and gear for ticks; Clean and disinfect any area where a tick was removed; Keep record of the date the tick was removed; and Shower or wash off as soon as possible after coming indoors.
Bed Bugs
While a pest, bed bugs have not been shown to spread disease; therefore, the Jackson County Health Department does not have regulations regarding bed bugs. However, the Health Department believes in providing as many resources as possible to help residents who may have a concern. Staff are trained in prevention, identification, remediation and would be happy to talk about techniques that may help you.
Gypsy Moth
Annually, the Ohio Department of Agriculture performs activities to manage the population of gypsy moths in Ohio. These efforts are aimed at suppressing, slowing and eradicating the moths, depending on the zone. Treatment activities take place in planes flying around 200 feet above the treetops. More information on ODA’s Gypsy Moth program, including treatment areas and approximate dates, can be found here.