07/13/98 - Sebring Mediterranean Fruit Fly Update - DACS

Provided by Dr. Marion Fuller
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Report Dated 07/13/98

Sebring

Trappers are still coming in, so I don't have a complete tally of flies at this point. So far, as of this morning, the count was 103, with two larval sites, both in a single grove. While I don't have exact boundaries, the general vicinity of the fly finds is bordered by Little Red Lake on the North, Lake Sebring to the west, and south around Lake Dinner. Again, this is very general, and based on finds reported in yesterday, and may change as the week progresses.

Space is problematic - we are looking for office space to house folks, and it's rather hard to come by. Logistically we need enough area to handle multiple programmatic functions, with personnel from both USDA and FDACS. As soon as we have something, I'll be able to get contact numbers out for you.

As before the FDACS Helpline (1-888-397-1517) is operational. Please feel free to direct questions regarding anything except public health concerns to that number. I'll get the Department of Health (DOH) hotline number to you as soon as it's available.

We are still waiting for confirmation concerning a public meeting. My guess (emphasize guess!) is that it will be Wednesday or Thursday night, with a possible aerial bait treatment Friday or Saturday. Please understand that there is no confirmation of aerial treatment, or approval from EPA at this time.

I am expecting to have a tentative map of the area as currently delineated, tomorrow - again, it may change up to 48 hours of the scheduled treatment (we are required to provide 48 hours advanced notice of aerial bait treatments).

DOH is putting together a health advisory panel, they will be meeting, probably by conference call, in the near future. We are working with DOH and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify sensitive human/environmental sites. As before, USDA is contacting U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to determine if any endangered species are in the treatment area, and if so, what additional precautions may need to be taken.

FDACS - Division of Plant Industy: Mediterranean fruit fly information
USDA APHIS: Mediterranean fruit fly information
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-809: The Mediterranean Fruit Fly
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet ENY-626: Mediterranean Fruit Fly: What Floridians Need To Know

The UF/IFAS Pest Alert WWW site is at: http://pestalert.ifas.ufl.edu/