FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) – News13 had an inside look at the steps Florence County is taking to prevent the spread of the Zika virus.
The County has set up traps to catch mosquitoes to test them for the virus. A South Florence woman was diagnosed with Zika last month after traveling to an area with Zika.
Florence County has been working with the Department of Health and Environmental control to fight the virus. The County tells us crews have sprayed her neighborhood and they’re monitoring the mosquitoes.
Environmental Services Officer, Herbie Christmas said the County’s goal is to be proactive not reactive
Christmas said the County Council prepared their budget for deadly mosquito-borne viruses.
He also said the County spent about $35,000 to buy chemicals to fight Zika.
That is $10,000 more than last year.
Christmas said, “Given the fact that we knew it was going to happen at some point. It was not if it’s going to occur, it’s when? And how much of a reaction to it were we going to have to take.”
“Zika is new for us but we’ve been preparing for different type viruses for a long time. I’ve got a very educated staff, very professional full time staff that knows how to react to any situation that comes down the line,” Christmas adds.
Tips from the Florence County Environmental Services:
- Avoid standing water in man-made containers lie tires, empty flower pots, or dog bowls
- Practice the Tip-n-Toss: Tip it over to pour the water out or toss it in the garbage
To contact the Florence Environmental Services call 843-665-3053
