Baton Rouge, LA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness (LOEP) have implemented an environmentally responsible plan to deal with the unusual increase in mosquito populations caused by Tropical Storm Allison.
The rains and flooding from Tropical Storm Allison accelerated the normal mosquito hatching activity in southern Louisiana. This resulted in an unusually high mosquito population in certain areas, and creates a substantial health and safety threat for mosquito-borne diseases.
"We have developed a comprehensive and environmentally sensitive vector control plan to address the mosquito situation," said Federal Coordinating Officer William Carwile. "This plan is the result of the joint efforts of LOEP, FEMA, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), and key state environmental officials."
The Louisiana Vector Control Implementation Plan (VCIP) calls for controlled spraying in areas where the local mosquito population is abnormally high due to the recent floods and where local health officials have certified that a risk to health and safety exists.
Spraying operations will be performed on a parish by parish basis within the designated disaster area. Parishes must provide evidence of an elevated mosquito population as a result of Tropical Storm Allison.
Only pesticides acceptable to both U.S. and State regulatory agencies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be used. FEMA will assist local authorities in covering the costs of the campaign.
"Our goal is to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of Louisiana while at the same time not upsetting the delicate balance of nature in our beautiful state" said State Coordinating Officer Art Jones.