Meanwhile, health inspectors will be on the lookout for other mosquito breeding grounds on public and private property. Last year, the virus killed seven people and sickened dozens. The controversial move raised the ire of environmentalists and residents who said the cure made more people sick than the virus. The EPA is trying to determine whether the pesticide causes cancer and other heath risks in humans. Cohen said larvicide compounds pose no health risk to people, since humans aren't exposed to catch-basin water.
Pesticide spraying, however, still remains part of the city's plan if there is an outbreak.
There is a lot of good stuff in the plan. However, none of the pesticides they are talking about using for mosquito control is safe. It was unclear, however, what kind of discovery would trigger the city to spray. Research has shown that Altosid is not harmful to humans, but direct contact can cause mild eye and skin irritation. The bacteria damages the gut of the mosquito larvae when they eat it.