“The fact that we have identified a fourth Zika-positive mosquito pool in Miami Beach serves as further confirmation that we must continue our proactive and aggressive approach to controlling the mosquito population, including our recent decision to begin aerial spraying in combination with larvicide treatment by truck”, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said in a statement.
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The insecticide was used in the first outbreak zone in the Miami area, the Wynwood neighborhood, but initially health officials said they didn’t anticipate spraying in Miami Beach due to the high-rise towers. Additional sprayings are scheduled for Sunday and the next two weekends.
Friday’s announcement from Scott’s office came as the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said it had detected Zika in another mosquito sample in an area of Miami Beach.
Friday’s spray of the insecticide Naled was actually supposed to start Thursday.
The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/2cL57UF ) quotes Miami-Dade County officials as saying that on-board meteorological equipment was used to measure weather conditions and calculate a flight pattern that would allow the wind to carry the spray over the island.
Some residents oppose spraying, citing the potential for harmful effects.
But while U.S. health officials say it’s safe, Europe has banned the use of agricultural products containing Naled over safety concerns.
South Beach is the second site of Zika transmission by mosquitoes on the USA mainland.
Aerial spraying targets adult mosquitoes; different pesticides for larvae will be sprayed on the ground.
Last month, the CDC advised pregnant women not to travel to an area of Miami Beach limited to 1½ square miles.
Of Florida’s 56 non-travel-related Zika cases, 11 are associated with Miami Beach.
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The virus, which also can also be transmitted sexually, is particularly risky to pregnant women because it can cause severe birth defects.
