TEGA CAY, S.C. — Four days after health officials said that a person from Tega Cay had contracted the Zika virus while traveling out of the area, crews sprayed for mosquitos Thursday night.
It's not something usually done in York County, and the Department of Health and Environmental Control approached York County Emergency Management about getting it done.
"The chemical is a very, very small amount. Only enough to kill a mosquito,” Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes. "We feel it's safe, and we want everyone to have peace of mind about it.”
Kelley Candee wasn't too sure.
"I would hope the county would tell us what's in the spray," she said. "People are into ingredients now, especially organics."
Candee's parents live in Tega Cay on one of the streets that was sprayed. Her mother, Darlene Morris, felt like it was a good idea.
"I say it's OK. They should get rid of the mosquitos," Morris said.
Health officials have asked homeowners on the streets being sprayed to bring in pets, children's toys, and dump out any standing water. Also, people who walk or jog, are being asked to do that before 9 p.m. when the trucks will begin spraying.
In all, 13 streets will be sprayed with chemicals. They are located near the end of Tega Cay Drive toward the far end of the city.
Health officials said though no local mosquitos have tested positive for Zika, they could if they had bitten that one infected person.
"The chances are very slim, but this is out of caution," Haynes said.
The cost is only a few hundred dollars, and health officials feel that only one application will be needed.
The chemical itself, produced by Bayer, is called Aqua Resigen. Bayer’s website describes avoiding contact with skin or inhaling fumes, just like the warnings on any other bug killer.
The chemical is released in the form of a fog and does not remain wet once on grass, trees or outside structures, but dries.
Eighteen cases of the Zika virus have been reported in South Carolina with only one reported in York County.
South Carolina receives nearly $4.5M to fight Zika virus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded nearly $4.5 million to South Carolina to fight the Zika virus.
The CDC announced Thursday that the award is part of a nearly $60 million fund to states, cities and territories to support efforts to combat the virus.
Funds will be used to support activities to protect public health, improve mosquito control and strengthening laboratory capacity. The funding will be available Aug. 1.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said Thursday that there have been 22 cases of the Zika virus in the state.