MIAMI _ Amid a Zika virus outbreak in Miami Beach, aerial spraying for mosquitoes will begin in South Beach early Thursday morning, officials have confirmed.
From Eighth Street to 28th Street from the beach to Biscayne Bay, covering much of the zone where the virus is being transmitted locally by mosquitoes, an airplane will spray naled at 5 a.m. Thursday.
The plane will fly over the ocean and rely on winds to carry the spray onto the barrier island.
The move comes as a surprise after state officials and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention had previously said the Beach's dense urban environment and high-rise buildings made aerial spraying difficult.
County and city officials said the recommendation came down from the CDC, Florida Department of Agriculture and Florida Department Health after mosquito counts increased during the holiday weekend. Gov. Rick Scott gave the order Tuesday.
Truck spraying and mosquito inspectors will continue to work on the ground.
After being briefed on the plan and speaking with the county, Mayor Philip Levine told the Miami Herald that he wants to know more about what the potential effects the spraying may have on residents.
"My job is to keep residents safe and informed," he said. "We want the governor and officials to tell us and the people what they know about what, if any, are the ramifications of this."
