Atlanta will spend $400,000 fighting mosquitoes

The city of Atlanta is biting back, pledging to spend $400,000 on mosquito prevention measures.
According to the city, the effort will combat diseases like Zika, West Nile Virus and Yellow Fever. The city says that last November the state requested $800,000 from the $1.1 billion Zika bill approved by Congress.
“The $400,000 allocation for the City of Atlanta exceeds the annual budget for mosquito control and prevention for Fulton County,” a press release from the city says.
The Mayors Office of Emergency Preparedness is overseeing the city’s mosquito fighting efforts.
The strategy consists of mosquito surveillance, mosquito inspections, larvicide treatment and community outreach.
“Mosquito-borne illnesses such as Zika and West Nile Virus pose serious health risks for the public,” Mayor Kasim Reed said in the press release. “We only have one chance at prevention, and we must get it right. That’s why we’re moving forward with a new investment of $400,000 in mosquito control and prevention, and taking the steps now to prevent serious public health problems in the coming years.”