leonnah@standard-democrat.com
SIKESTON -- At least two counties in Southeast Missouri are reaping benefits from state grants to control the mosquito population in their flood-stricken communities.
Earlier this month, the Missouri Foundation for Health provided the Mississippi County Health Department in Charleston with $47,710 to equip the county and three municipalities -- Charleston, East Prairie and Wyatt -- with mosquito control supplies and equipment.
New Madrid County Health Department in New Madrid received $65,986 to provide mosquito control in areas affected by flooding. The money will be used to provide all 15 communities in New Madrid County with fogging machines and/or chemicals.
"Mississippi County has a lot of swampy areas and flood or not, we always have a lot of mosquitoes in this area," said Clint Wolford, environmental public health specialist for Mississippi County Health Department.
Barry Cook, administrator of the Scott County Health Department, said the county has applied for a grant to aid a mosquito control program but has not heard any news on whether it would receive funding.
Editor's note: Funding for this project was provided in whole by the Missouri Foundation for Health, which is a philanthropic organization whose vision is to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves.
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