La. to Spray to Stop Spread of Mosquitos

Monday, September 12th 2005, 10:05 am

By: News On 6

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) _ State health officials said Friday they will begin a spraying program to curb the hatching and spread of mosquitos and flies in the stagnant flood waters left behind in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

The program's main goal is to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, which include West Nile virus. Aerial spraying is set to begin Sunday in New Orleans and surrounding areas and will take place in the last two hours of daylight, state health officials said.

The U.S. Air Force will conduct the aerial application of the pesticide Naled to help mosquito control activities normally conducted by parishes and cities. Naled is routinely used by mosquito control districts in Louisiana.

``The timely initiation of preventive measures to control mosquitoes and flies is necessary to reduce the risk of vector-borne diseases'' said Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Fred Cerise.