NKyTribune staff report
The Alexandria Police Department has expressed concerns that it was not notified before the Northern Kentucky Health District requested spraying for mosquitos after a resident contracted the Zika virus while traveling.
Here is an excerpt from a Tuesday post on the Police Department’s Facebook page.
“The City of Alexandria has learned that someone within our community contracted the Zika virus while traveling. We did not receive word until today that sometime over the weekend the Northern Kentucky Health District directed the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to spray a chemical in and around the neighborhood where this individual lives.”
Health Department public information administrator Emily Gresham Wherle said the spraying occurred in a small area near the affected individual’s residence and the mayor of Alexandria and the Campbell County judge/executive were notified.
“We have to protect patient privacy and notification could lead to the patient being identified,” Gresham Wherle said in a statement. “We have been assured by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture that the spray used is safe and should not cause issues in people or pets when applied. Plus, it is applied overnight.”
The spraying is done as a precautionary measure when a case of Zika is confirmed to ensure the local mosquito population does not become infected.
A person who has contracted Zika is provided with information on how to avoid mosquito bites. If the person is bitten, however, a mosquito could potentially spread the virus to nearby residents.
The chemical used in the spraying is Duet Adulticide. The product has been approved for use for outdoor mosquito control since 1987 and is not generally considered to pose a risk to humans, animals or plant life.
The Northern Kentucky Health Department has posted an information sheet about the product here.
A statement from the Northern Kentucky Health Department and the full post from the Alexandria Police department’s Facebook Page are included below.
City of Alexandria, Kentucky Police Department:
The City of Alexandria has learned that someone within our community contracted the Zika virus while traveling. We did not receive word until today that sometime over the weekend the Northern Kentucky Health District directed the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to spray a chemical in and around the neighborhood where this individual lives. The Chemical is called Duet Adultcide and information can be found at http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/mosquito/pdf/Duet_MSDS.pdf
We respect and will protect the privacy of the individual. However, we are concerned that you, the public, were not notified, especially if your home/property was sprayed with an insecticide without your prior knowledge. This chemical has the potential to affect aquatic life and crops according to the manufactures website.
Yes, it is a public health issue. They can and did spray without notification. We feel you should have been notified, so you could keep your doors and windows closed overnight.
If you experience any symptoms of burning, skin or eye irritation, please seek medical treatment immediately. For information relating to symptoms, treatment and exposure to Zika, please go to the CDC’s website or https://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/
The City of Alexandria Police Department, the Alexandria Fire District and our partners in Campbell County Emergency Management were NOT notified before today.
If you have questions, please contact the City of Alexandria, KY Police Department – (859) 635-4126 or the Alexandria Fire District – (859) 635-5991.
From Lynne Saddler, MD, MPH, District Director of Health:
“The Northern Kentucky Health Department is working diligently to prevent the spread of the Zika virus and protect the health of all Northern Kentuckians, but especially those who are most vulnerable to the complications of Zika—pregnant women and their babies.
Since Zika is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, steps to control mosquitoes are a crucial aspect of Zika prevention.
We understand that many people are concerned about one measure to control mosquitoes—targeted application of insecticide by the Kentucky Department for Agriculture; however, this is an important public health precaution.
A person with Zika can spread the virus to local mosquitoes if he/she is bitten while contagious. Those mosquitoes can then infect another individual. Several measures can be implemented to help prevent local transmission from an infected individual. This includes:
- Educating infected individuals about steps they can take to prevent mosquito bites, such as staying indoors, wearing long sleeves/pants and using an EPA-approved insect repellent.
- When necessary, applying mosquito spray in a targeted area to control the mosquito population.
The use of spraying for mosquito control in Northern Kentucky is based on protocols established by the Kentucky Department for Public Health. Decisions to spray a particular area are made jointly by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Northern Kentucky Health Department.
The Department of Agriculture has assured us that the product used, Duet, meets stringent standards and is registered for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. When properly used by trained professionals, insecticides do their job and biodegrade quickly. Such products are considered safe to use around people or pets. Spraying is done at night as an additional safeguard.
Many other areas of Kentucky regularly spray for mosquitoes. Lexington and Louisville have had mosquito spraying for more than a decade, initially to help prevent a variety of mosquito-borne diseases.
All Northern Kentuckians can help with Zika prevention by taking steps to control the mosquito population.
- Whenever possible, remove potential causes of standing water. This could include clogged storm drains, catch basins, drainage ways, junk/debris, tire dumps, etc.
- Reduce mosquito resting sites near areas where people may gather by keeping grass mowed and free of discarded garbage such as plastic cups, bottle lids, etc.
For more information on Zika virus, please visit http://www.nkyhealth.org/zika.aspx”