Why are helicopters spraying in Manatee? Mosquito disease reported, officials say

Mosquito control officials recently sprayed a pesticide to kill mosquitoes in Bradenton, where at least three people have caught the dengue virus.

The move came after health officials reported new cases of dengue. A helicopter flew over about 10,000 acres in west and northwest Bradenton and sprayed malathion, a common pesticide. The area stretches from Manatee River to Cortez and from Palma Sola to downtown Bradenton.

“The spray mission was very successful,” said Chris Lesser, director of the Manatee County Mosquito Control District. “We killed all the mosquitoes in that area.”

The helicopter spray operation left Bradenton-area residents with questions about the chemicals and how they impact residents. Malathion poses little threat to humans and wildlife in the concentrations used for pest control.

Here’s what to know about recent dengue cases in Manatee County and what local officials are doing about it:

How many dengue cases in Manatee County?

There have been three reported dengue cases in Manatee County, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Cases of dengue have also popped up in nearby counties, mosquito control officials said. There were five cases in Sarasota, six in Pinellas, 47 in Hillsborough and 15 in Pasco, the CDC data shows.

The total number of dengue cases in Florida is higher than usual, mosquito control officials said. There have been 764 cases of dengue in Florida this year, according to the latest CDC data.

What is the dengue virus?

The dengue virus is transmitted to people through a mosquito bite, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Symptoms appear three to 14 days after someone is bitten and include fever, headache, eye pain, muscle and joint pain and bleeding, the FDOH said.

According to Mayo Clinic, most dengue patients recover in about a week, but the symptoms can become severe and life-threatening.

“Dengue, while not being a terribly deadly disease, is a disease that does cause very significant human health impacts that can last weeks or months — or longer,” Lesser said.

How can you protect yourself from dengue?

Mosquito control officials warned residents to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

“We do as much as we can to protect public health, but the public also needs to take responsibility in protecting themselves,” Lesser said. “When they’re outside, it’s reasonable, particularly in this cooler weather, to wear long pants, long sleeves and DEET (bug spray) if they see mosquitoes in their backyard.”

Residents should stay indoors within an hour of sunset to avoid mosquito bites. They should also drain water from rain gutters, buckets, trash cans and plastic swimming pools.

What is the county doing about the dengue virus?

The county uses helicopters to kill adult mosquitoes with the pesticide malathion, Lesser said. Pediatricians use the same product to treat head lice in children, he said.

Killing mosquitoes is the fastest and most effective way of controlling a mosquito-borne disease, Lesser said.

Is mosquito pesticide safe for people and pets?

On social media, some Bradenton residents complained of eye irritation and respiratory problems after the spraying.

“How many times is the helicopter going to pass over and spray West (Bradenton)? It smells awful outside. This is so terrible for our health,” a comment posted to a Bradenton-area Facebook group said.

But Lesser said the pesticide malathion does not cause those symptoms.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that malathion is safe to use in very low concentrations around people, wildlife and the environment.

“EPA is confident that aerial application is safe,” the agency says on its website.

However, the agency said people who are still concerned about exposure to the pesticide — including those with young children, pesticide sensitivities or respiratory problems — can take the following steps:

• Parents and caretakers may choose to keep young children inside on the day that spraying is taking place.

• Stay indoors with the windows closed.

• If you are outdoors during spraying operations and you can see the spray, avoid contact with it. If you can’t avoid contact, rinse your skin and eyes with water.

• Wash fruits and vegetables from your garden before storing, cooking or eating.

• Cover outside items like furniture and grills while the spraying is occurring. Bring pets and items like pet food dishes and children’s toys indoors.

• If you think you have had a reaction to the mosquito spray, talk to your doctor or call the regional Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.