Florida State Rep. Eskamani raises concerns about disease-carrying mosquitoes at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

OCHOPEE Fla WSVN Mosquitoes at the facility in the Florida Everglades dubbed Alligator Alcatraz have created a cause for concern as robustness experts say the immigration detention center could become a breeding ground for serious diseases that could impact detainees and state workers Florida State Rep Anna Eskamani didn t learn much about what s happening inside the detention center on Thursday when she and other Democratic state lawmakers were blocked by bureaucrats from entering over safety concerns Mike Jachles a spokesperson for the Florida Division of Exigency Management spoke with the lawmakers He tried to give them contact information for someone they could reach to discuss the matter You can call him and email him now noted Jachles No revealed Florida State Rep Angie Nixon I will give you his number I m just relaying the message to try to accommodate you mentioned Jachles Eskamani who represents Florida s District revealed something outside stuck out The second you open up your car your car is infested with mosquitoes she noted Despite wearing a mosquito net Eskamani explained she was bitten dozens of times Now she wonders what it will mean for detainees being held in tents who have to walk outside to bathrooms and showers The lawmaker is also concerned that storms could compromise the tents For those who are working in that circumstances and living in that circumstances it is not built for human engagement especially not for long periods of time she reported Dr Durland Fish an epidemiologist at Yale University studies mosquitoes in the Everglades It s mosquito heaven he announced Seven mosquito-borne viruses circulate there including West Nile encephalitis and Everglades virus If these diseases hit non-native people who don t have antibodies built up Fish noted they can cause neurological conditions These diseases are untreatable and there s no vaccine for them he revealed The concern comes as Democrats and advocacy groups demand transparency around Alligator Alcatraz It is owed to Floridians to know exactly what is happening right there in the heart of South Florida commented Tessa Pettit executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition It also comes as construction for a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Starke near Jacksonville is set to begin as early as this week Plans for a facility at Camp Blanding date back to mid-May A document sent to the Department of Homeland Precaution by the Florida Division of Urgency Management identifies this National Guard base as a likely home for a detention center Florida Gov Ron DeSantis declared last week a facility there would likely be easier to open than Alligator Alcatraz Blanding truly has buildings and facilities that we can repurpose for this he declared An airfield on the base and nearby Naval Air Station Cecil Field provide options for direct deportation flights However the document details several areas that would need improvements It states the existing dining facility would likely not meet federal standards In addition a behavioral healthcare facility showers bathrooms and facilities capable of supporting detainees with disabilities would be needed Those facilities may also have to be temporary as a DHS court filing notes new permanent structures aren t eligible for federal reimbursement The lawmakers who were blocked from entering the Everglades facility disclosed they will continue to pursue legal remedies until full transparency is achieved