City to Spray Mosquito Pesticide

To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of Zika and West Nile viruses, the Health Department will spray pesticide from trucks in parts of Brooklyn and Queens on Tuesday, August 23 between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting.

Adulticide will be sprayed from a truck in parts of the following ZIP codes: 11203, 11207, 11212, 11213, 11216, 11225, 11233, 11358, 11354, 11357, 11385, 11360, 11361, 11204, 11209, 11214 and 11228. Spraying is intended to reduce the number of mosquitoes and the risk of Zika and West Nile viruses.

In case of bad weather, application will be delayed until Wednesday, August 24 during the same hours.

The Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods listed below are being treated with adulticide due to a significant presence of Aedes albopictus, or Asian tiger mosquitoes, in traps set by the Health Department. No Zika virus has been found in any mosquito in New York City.

When properly used, these products poses no significant risks to human health. The Health Department recommends that people take the following precautions to minimize direct exposure:

• Whenever possible, stay indoors during spraying. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions are encouraged to stay inside during spraying since direct exposure could worsen these conditions.

• Air conditioners may remain on. However, if you wish to reduce the possibility of indoor exposure to pesticides, set the air conditioner vent to the closed position, or choose the re-circulate function.

• Remove children’s toys, outdoor equipment, and clothes from outdoor areas during spraying. If outdoor equipment and toys are exposed to pesticides, wash them with soap and water before using again. •

Wash skin and clothing exposed to pesticides with soap and water. Always wash your produce thoroughly with water before cooking or eating.

Reducing Exposure to Mosquitoes
• Consider limiting time outdoors between dusk and dawn in areas with significant mosquito infestations.

• Wear protective clothing when outdoors, and use an approved insect repellent containing picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under three), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.

• Make sure windows have screens and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

• Eliminate any standing water from your property and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.

• Make sure roof gutters are clean and draining properly.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.

• Report standing water by calling 311 or visiting nyc.gov.

As part of its aggressive three-year, $21 million plan to protect New Yorkers from Zika, the Health Department will spray pesticide in areas where Aedes albopictus are found in significant numbers as a precaution. The Department remains cautiously optimistic that Zika virus will not be found in mosquitoes in New York City.

“While we do not expect to find Zika in New York City’s mosquitoes, we are taking no chances. We are moving forward with a safe but aggressive plan to spray pesticide when we find significant numbers of mosquitoes that could possibly carry Zika,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “New Yorkers should continue to enjoy outdoor activities this summer while taking the usual precautions against mosquitoes, including wearing repellant and reporting standing water to 311.”

New York City’s health department has launched a new, interactive mosquito information website as part of its three-year, $21 million effort to keep the Zika virus from spreading.

Zika primarily spreads through bites from mosquitoes, but can also be transmitted. Most people won’t even know they have been infected by Zika because it often causes no symptoms at all or just mild symptoms.

In New York City, 483 people have been diagnosed with the illness, 49 of those patients are pregnant women. Health department officials say all of those cases are travel related and the numbers will likely climb.

For those who do have symptoms, the most common include fever, rash, joint or muscle pain, conjunctivitis – also known as pink eye – and a headache. The symptoms usually last just a few days to a week.

The real issue is for pregnant women who are at greatest risk because the virus can cause devastating birth defects such as microcephaly, where the baby’s brain fails to develop normally.

For more information to track spraying and get other Zika information, visit the new website at www.nyc.gov/health/mosquito.

As officials ramp up their efforts in New York City, concern is spreading in parts of Florida after the Miami Beach and Wynwood neighborhoods were designated Zika zones. The health department there is giving out free bug spray ahead of students returning to class Monday. Schools were also providing protective uniforms of long sleeves and pants.

The Centers for Disease Control is urging women who are pregnant, plan to get pregnant and their partners to postpone travel to the affected areas.

Experts predict the Zika virus could be around for another year to two years. Scientists at the National Institute of Health are already testing a vaccine.