COLUMBUS — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency awarded $650,000 in mosquito control grants to 33 counties and municipal health departments across the state, according to a Tuesday news release.

The Mahoning County Public Health and Trumbull County Combined Health District were awarded $23,306 and $22,500, respectively, of the $650,000 to help alleviate the spread of viruses such as West Nile, La Crosse encephalitis and eastern equine encephalitis.

“These grants are essential to help health departments around Ohio fight mosquito-borne diseases,” said Ohio EPA Director-Designate John Logue. “The funding provides education, outreach and necessary equipment to better protect all Ohioans.”

The funding will help pay for mosquito control activities such as surveillance, larval control and the reduction of breeding spots such as illegal scrap tire piles