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 continuing anti-mosquito pesticide spraying Thursday as they try to contain West Nile virus after the first human case was recently confirmed.
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Nassau is slated to spray Farmingdale, Levittown, North Massapequa, Plainedge and South Farmingdale between 7 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday.
Suffolk will spray the Fire Island communities of Water Island, Fire Island Pines and Fire Island Summer Club from 6-10 p.m. Thursday.
Nassau will be spraying the anti-mosquito pesticide Scourge, which contains the chemicals resmethrin and piperonyl butoxid. On FI, Suffolk uses Anvil, which contains sumithrin.
Suffolk also plans to spray Vectobac, a larvicide, on more than two dozen salt marshes in the townships of Islip, Brookhaven, Southampton, East Hampton, Riverhead and Smithtown.
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.
The marshes to be sprayed in Suffolk are as follows:
Town of Islip: Gardiners Park, Heckscher State Park, Timber Point, West Oak Recreation, West Sayville GC, Namkee Creek.
Town of Brookhaven: Sayville YC, Pine Neck Avenue (Swan River), Roe Avenue (Mud Creek), Hedges Creek, Lyman Marsh, Bellport Bay, Fireplace Neck, Smith Point North, Johns Neck Creek, Mastic Beach.
Town of Southampton: Jaggers Lane, Moneybogue Bay, Westhampton Dunes, Meadow Lane, North Sea.
Town of East Hampton: Napeague, Accabonac Harbor.
Town of Riverhead: Indian Island, Crescent Duck Farm, Millar Farm
Town of Smithtown: Sunken Meadow
