The City of Seminole will has begun spraying for mosquitoes, officials announced this week. At press time, spraying was scheduled to begin at dusk Monday and will continue throughout the week, weather permitting.

“It is important for people to know they should yield the right of way to the truck,” said Sharon Emmitt, Community Development Director. “The truck will be traveling approximately 10 miles per hour, and other drivers should not follow directly behind it nor should people approach the truck in any other way.”

The city will be spraying Aqualuer, which is a Permethrin- based chemical used by public health officials and other trained personnel for mosquito abatement. Aqualuer is a waterbased compound, unlike many sprays which use oil for dilution. In addition to Permethrin, Aqualuer also contains ether. The chemical is harmful to flies and is often used in residential areas, campgrounds, parks, woodlands, golf courses, playgrounds and waste areas where mosquitoes and flies are known to live. In addition, Aqualuer is known to kill horseflies and gnats.

This chemical also kills bees, and Emmitt warns citizens who keep bees to keep the bees protected on the night the truck is in their area. Anyone who comes in direct contact with the product could experience a slight eye and skin irritation, she said. A warning sheet issued with the chemical indicates that any person who gets it on their skin should remove any contaminated clothing and rinse with water.

Only two to three evenings are required to cover the entire city if the weather cooperates.

Spraying cannot be implemented if it is raining, or if the wind is in excess of 10 miles per hour; therefore, the schedule will be pushed back if needed.

Anyone with questions should contact Sharon Emmitt in the Community Development Office at 3824330, ext. 114.

Last month, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), announced that the potentially deadly West Nile Virus, which is carried by mosquitoes, had been detected in Seminole County.

According to the CDC, there are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat West Nile Virus in people (WNV). Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

Additional information is available online: https:// oklahoma.gov/health/prevention- and-preparedness/ acute-disease-service/ disease-information/tickborne- and-mosquitoborne- diseases.html.