Mosquito-borne West Nile virus contributed to the deaths of six people with prior medical conditions on Long Island in 2010, the most in one year since the virus first emerged in 1999.
Nassau and Suffolk counties are set to resume spraying anti-mosquito pesticides in some communities this week amid efforts to control West Nile virus.
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Nassau will start spraying 7 p.m. Monday in Island Park, Bay Park, East Rockaway, Harbor Isle, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Lynbrook, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Woodmere and Woodsburgh.
Both counties are scheduled to spray again Tuesday, when Suffolk will sprays Davis Park and Point O’Woods on Fire Island 6-10 p.m. Nassau is aiming to spray Cedarhurst, Hewlett Neck, Inwood, Lawrence, Woodmere and Woodsburgh beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
As of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Suffolk plans to spray Babylon, West Babylon, North Babylon, West Islip and West Bay Shore.
And then at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nassau is slated to spray Farmingdale, Levittown, North Massapequa, Plainedge and South Farmingdale.
Both counties will be spraying the anti-mosquito pesticide Scourge, which contains the chemicals resmethrin and piperonyl butoxid. On FI, Suffolk uses Anvil, which contains sumithrin.
Residents of the targeted communities are advised to keep windows and doors shut and turn air conditioners to re-circulate during the spraying. Health officials also say to keep pets, their food bowls and children’s toys indoors as well as cover fish ponds.
People, especially children and pregnant women, are urged to stay indoors for at least a half hour after the spraying to avoid exposure to the chemicals.
Those with questions can call the Suffolk County Spraying Information Hotline 631-852-4939 or the Nassau County West Nile Virus Treatment Hotline at 1-888-844-8657.
