Mosquitoes have long been a problem in the Eldred area, but at Tuesday’s meeting, McKean County Commissioner Carol Duffy said some of this year’s crop are packing more than an itchy bite.

Explaining that the county has been working with the state Department of Environmental Protection on mosquito mitigation, Duffy said, “Over in the Eldred area, there have been mosquitoes positive with Jamestown Canyon Virus.”

First discovered in Jamestown Canyon, Colo., in 1961, the virus can cause encephalitis. Commissioner Marty Wilder said, “The disease in question was found in mosquitoes, not in human beings.”

Commissioner Tom Kreiner said samples collected by the DEP are tested. Out of 53 samples, five in McKean County were positive, according to the DEP.

“Jamestown Canyon virus is spread to people by infected mosquitoes and is not spread by coughing, sneezing or contact with someone who is infected. The mosquito species involved in JCV transmission differ from the species involved in West Nile virus transmission and are aggressive biters. Mosquito species involved in JCV transmission are typically associated with flooding events. In nature, JCV is maintained in deer, elk and other ungulates. Most JCV cases occur between April and September,” the DEP reported.

At the meeting, Duffy said because this year has been so wet, there have been more mosquitoes than normal. The DEP has a section of its website devoted to mosquito monitoring, along with a place to report areas where it is a nuisance. Tips for avoiding mosquito bites are on the site as well through pa.gov/agencies/dep and vector management.

On the meeting’s agenda, two new hires were noted — Garrett Newbrough as a part-time corrections officer and Sarah Dufresne as an assistant district attorney.

During public comment, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer commented that her office was happy to have Dufresne.

“We lost Tom Coppollo, who was a 30-year prosecutor, in part due to the salary restrictions set by the salary board of McKean County,” Shaffer said. She had tried, unsuccessfully, to get a raise for Coppollo, former Elk County district attorney. “We’re thrilled to have Sarah Dufresne, but I wanted it to be noted that we lost a long-time prosecutor in the process.”

Also at the meeting, the commissioners approved applications for county aid from the McKean County Liquid Fuels fund for Wetmore Township in the amount of $5,308.09; Sergeant Township, $955.77; Mount Jewett Borough, $1,794.81; Foster Township, $9,430.74; Corydon Township, $1,139.72; and Liberty Township, $7,823.43.

A blight removal grant request was approved in the amount of $9,900 for 76 Pearl St., Port Allegany. The total project cost will be $13,200.

The commissioners approved three change orders dealing with an emergency communications system. Nate Burgett, director of emergency services, said the equipment has been installed and he’s hoping to have it tested prior to the McKean County Fair.

Bids were opened for window replacement in the Domestic Relations building. Foster Brook Glass and Mirror bid $49,390, while Western New York Glass and Door bid $56,148.33. Solicitor Anthony Clarke said the bids will be reviewed prior to being awarded.

The next commissioners meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 12.