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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida is the only state to have cases of locally acquired Zika virus<\/a>. The number of reported cases is quite low, at only 43 confirmed cases, however local governments are taking the issue very seriously. In fact, early in September, the city of Miami used an aerial campaign of the pesticide naled to control local populations of mosquitoes. The campaign was met with protests and petitions concerned with public health and safety. Keep reading to learn more about how naled works and how it's being used to take preventive measures against the Zika virus:<\/p>\n What is naled?<\/strong> Risks of using naled<\/strong> Business Insider reported that naled was banned in the EU in 2012<\/a> because the substance can harm aquatic life and may pose a threat to people who come into direct contact with it. Use of naled is also controversial because it can harm honey-producing bees, which are already faced with some danger from other common pesticides. However, experts and officials who spoke with Business Insider feel that the risks posed by Zika far outweigh the potential risks of naled exposure.<\/p>\n Naled and mosquitoes<\/strong> As with most chemical pesticides, application method is key. As long as the chemical is used according to regulations, it poses very little threat to people.<\/p>\n
\nNaled is a chemical pesticide that has been used in the U.S. since 1959. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, naled is deployed at ultra-low volume, a method that allows small amounts of the chemical to float through the air and kill mosquitoes on contact<\/a>. Naled is also used to control pest populations on crops and in greenhouses.<\/p>\n
\nWhen sprayed at ultra-low volume, it is highly unlikely that people will come into contact with the chemical. The EPA reported that low levels of contact with naled don't pose a threat to human health, though anyone who comes in direct contact with naled, that is, touching the chemical in liquid form, should seek medical attention.<\/p>\n
\nNaled has been used for over 50 years because it is an effective form of mosquito control. The CDC confirmed that aerial campaigns of naled are part of a sound integrated pest management strategy<\/a> for the control of Zika-bearing mosquitoes. In wet areas such as those found across the state of Florida, mosquito populations are high because breeding ground is plentiful. Naled has been shown to decrease numbers of adult and larval mosquitoes, thus reducing the risk of Zika virus spread.<\/p>\n