Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)
Report Dated 06/01/98
The early report for this evening indicates no flies for today, however, that is preliminary - traps were still being read.
Ground applications continue, as part of the third sweep of the area.
Preliminary results from the DNA analysis of the flies in Manatee County are consistent with the flies found in Tampa last year. As before, additional, more refined analyses will take a little longer to complete.
USDA submitted a request to USEPA today, for aerial application in this area.
USDA met with the Palmetto City Council, at their request, to provide city officials with an update of the situation. The Council was informed that attempts to contain the infestation using only ground treatment does not appear to be successful at this point in time. Consequently, USDA has requested approval for aerial bait treatment over an area which is now covers roughly 50 square miles, and which includes the city of Palmetto. It was noted that the size of the treatment area is still being defined, and may either increase or decrease depending on the fly counts and distribution of the finds over the next several days. The aerial bait treatment being proposed will include 2 - 4 treatments (one life cycle), followed by release of sterile Medflies. As previously stated, there will be a public meeting prior to any aerial application.
Council members were also informed of the sterile flies now being released over Manatee County. Approximately 15 million sterile flies were released on Sunday, outside the areas where flies have been found. The targetted density is about 500,000 sterile flies per square mile, and will cover about 140 square miles. Additional releases will continue, to reach a total of about 70 million sterile Medflies per week in the Manatee County area.
Environmental monitoring: No report
Health Monitoring: No report