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Specialized trucks, planes target mosquitoes in South Beach

Posted at 7:41 AM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-07 07:41:59-04

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Specialized trucks are driving through South Beach to spray pesticides that kill mosquito larvae.

The city announced its use of Buffalo Turbine trucks in its fight against the Zika virus in an email Monday. Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control began driving the trucks through the 1.5-square-mile infection zone early Tuesday.

Another run was scheduled early Wednesday. County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said in a statement the truck sprayings targeting mosquito breeding areas will continue for a month.

The county also plans to begin aerial spraying of the insecticide naled over South Beach.

Some residents and elected officials in Miami Beach oppose using naled because of concerns about its toxicity. Gimenez says state and federal health officials have assured county officials that it's safe. The city commission has scheduled a workshop Wednesday about the aerial spraying.

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