Aerial Spraying In & Around Zika Zone To Continue Saturday

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Residents in and around the first Zika transmission zone should prepare for aerial spraying this Saturday.

Weather permitting, the spraying will take place early in the morning in the area bounded by NW 5th Avenue to the west, US 1 to the east, NW/NE 38th Street to the north and NW/NE 20th Street to the south.

The spraying covers two-square miles, which is much larger than the current hot zone.

The DOH reports they have cleared the perimeter of the Wynwood area and the current hot zone is approximately half a square mile.

Zika 101: Prevent Spread By Protecting Yourself

Joseph Furst with the Wynwood Improvement District says a shaded area that the state created and labeled a Zika zone is just wrong.

"I think the map needs to be lifted for several reasons. From a policy perspective, it creates a false sense of security for people who are outside of the map, when we all know this is a regional state and national issue. And for those who reside inside the map, it creates tremendous economic impact," said Furst.

Saturday's aerial mission could be a sign that the county is taking that "false sense of security" into account.

In a press release from Mayor Carlos Gimenez's office, it is advised that individuals with health concerns should remain indoors during the aerial spraying.

Earlier spray mission used Naled to ward off Zika-spreading mosquitoes. Saturday's mission will be spraying VectoBac WDG – which uses Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) as an active ingredient – to attack mosquito larvae.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Bti has no toxicity to humans and it can be used in organic farming.

Click here for more information on the Zika virus or here for more Zika-related stories.