Three new cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed this week in dead birds found in Northern Anderson County. The birds were located near the intersections of A.M. Ellison Rd. and Hwy. 81 N. Anderson; Chestnut Springs and Mountain View Rd., Williamston and Hwy. 86 and Hwy. 81 N. Easley.
The Emergency Management Division using state-approved pest control contractor, Gregory Pest Solutions, will be spraying affected areas within a one-mile radius of these locations. Weather permitting, spraying will take place late on Friday night, October 5, continuing into early Saturday morning, October 6. Truck-mounted sprayers will be used to apply the pesticide in affected areas. In addition, the contractor will place larvicide briquettes in standing water on public lands, including culverts and manholes.
No confirmed human cases of the disease have occurred in Anderson County; however, the Emergency Management Division is continuing to implement appropriate mitigation and response actions in accordance with DHEC guidelines. The water-based Aquareslin pesticide used during spraying does not pose a health risk to humans or animals; however, beekeepers with hives in the area should arrange to relocate and/or cover hives until spraying has been completed. All local beekeeping organizations are being notified. The larvicide briquettes placed in areas of standing water to reduce the mosquito threat should not be handled or disturbed by the public and will remain effective up to 45 days after placement. A CodeRed message will be sent out this evening and tomorrow evening to all residents within a 1-mile radius of where the infected birds were located alerting them to plans for spraying.
