MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami-Dade County officials have their sights set on Miami Beach to combat locally acquired cases of the Zika virus.
Mosquito control crews were out early Thursday spraying larvicide along 16th Street near Washington Avenue, an area well within the Zika zone, which consists of 28th Street to the north and Eighth Street to the south.
Aside from spraying storm drains, workers with the Florida Department of Health have spent the last two days visiting certain areas within the Zika zone, talking to neighbors and collecting voluntary samples to test for the virus.
"They've been terrific, the whole team of people. I think they are on top of it," Miami Beach resident Betsy Perry said.
Despite continuous treatments, residents seem to be unfazed.
"I'm going out for my six-mile power walk on the beach right now," Miami Beach resident Alan Pratt said.
"With no bug spray?" Local 10 News reporter Sanela Sabovic asked.
"I might be being completely irresponsible. I'm not so sure," he said.
Chris Ann Noel, who is visiting Miami Beach, told Sabovic that he is more concerned about wearing sunscreen than wearing bug repellent.
Mosquito control crews said they were also out in Wynwood Thursday to conduct inspections and treat mosquito breeding grounds.
