By Leslie Albrecht – DNAinfo.com
Residents are being warned to stay indoors Wednesday night so the city can douse parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island with insecticide to fight the spread of West Nile virus, officials announced.
The anti-mosquito spraying, which is scheduled to happen between 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday, will cover Central Park, Prospect Park, and other areas where the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has seen “rising West Nile virus activity” and “high mosquito populations”, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
In Brooklyn, the spraying will include parts of Park Slope, Crown Heights, Kensington, Sunset Park, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Prospect Heights, Prospect Park South, Windsor Terrace and Greenwood Heights.
In Mahattan, Harlem, East Harlem, the Upper West Side, Lincoln Square, Manhattan Valley and Morningside Heights will be affected.
In Staten Island, it will cover Arden Heights, Rossville, Charleston, Fresh Kills, Greenridge, Hugenot, Pleasant Plains, Port Mobil, Princes Bay, Sandy Ground and Woodrow.
Click here to see a complete list and maps of the neighborhoods that will be sprayed.
The city has seen one confimed case of West Nile virus this year, DOH officials said. A Brooklyn man in his 60s contracted the virus in August and was hospitalized and discharged.
The virus can sometimes be fatal, and 318 New Yorkers have been diagnosed with the disease since it was first discovered in the United States in 1999, according to the DOH.
On Wednesday night, the city will use trucks to spray a “very low concentration” of the synthetic pesticide Anvil 10+10, the agency said.
“When properly used, this product poses no signficant risks to human health,” the DOH said in an announcement about the spraying.
However, the DOH warned residents to say indoors, close vents on air conditioners, and move kids’ toys inside during the spraying.
The anti-mosquito campaign coincides with the first day of school, but a Health Dept. spokeswoman noted that the spraying will happen at night, not during the day when children will be out and about.
At least one Upper West Side mom questioned the timing of the spraying.
“I was surprised that it was happening on the first day of school,” said Natalya Murakhver, the mother of a 17-month-old and a 5-year-old. “I have a kindergartner starting school on Wednesday. We’re going to be out first thing Thursday morning and in theory, they’ll have just finished spraying.”
And that is why #’s 10, 11. and 12 are also right – This kind of spraying ignores the short AND longterm risks on so many levels and it is also silly and naive to think that with such pesticide, a zip code not mentioned is safe! The poison can be carried due to weather conditions much further than we imagine. Besides the care that the community should have taken from when the spraying began – it is so urgent that it continues throughout the time of spraying but who knows how long after we can still be affected by… Read more »
From all days of the year, the day (public) schools start they will spray the air up and down?? This is early morning right before kids are walking to school and adults to work – everyone will HAVE TO be outside TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO BE… Sounds intentional to me, a goverent experiment on the population and the effects the pesticide will have on everyone.. If the DOH were to care about health, would do the spraying while everyone is already AT work or already IN school.. Doesn’t sound right to me.
I agree with number 15
This is crazy
ONE person has contracted the virus this year in the entire city (and he was fine) but they are spraying something so poisonous we all need to stay indoors for 12 hours? I’m thinking the spraying is more dangerous than the virus in this case.
11213 is not getting sprayed
11213? When does zip 11213 get sprayed?
Can AC be left on?
Thank you
THERE SHOULD BE CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS HEALTH HAZARD AND WARNINGS IN HEBREW AND OTHER LANGUAGES
MUST ASSURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS!
WE WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE A HEALTHY NEW YEAR
AND THIS KIND OF MASS SPRAYING IS QUITE SERIOUS!
ONLY GOOD NEWS!
Is there any way to get this warning out to guests and bochrim that have arrived or are actually arriving this afternoon? Maybe clearly posted signs outside of 770, Eshel and Vaad dorms and other main/public meeting areas? Some of our sons have just arrived and we have no way to reach them to tell them to stay indoors under safely closed conditions this evening and tomorrow until the effects of the spray is no longer a threat. Some have athsma and need to be even more careful. Would greatly appreciate if someone can reassure us via COLLIVE. THANKS SO… Read more »
And woman’s program in 770 and then going to rebbe’s room tonight
Please be informed that the spraying is not in the area of the Jewish community. Just Franklin Ave to Prospect Park. All programming will continue as planned with B”H no grave danger.
Are you taking responsibility for the health of our shchuna based on your statement?
Either: car or helicopter
How are we supposed to go to Oholie Torah’s open house?
Based on the attached map the spraying will be concetrated mostly arount Prospect Park, and would not be passing east of Franklin Ave. so no worries it seems.
Doesn’t mention that it will spray the 11213 zip code…
Date(s)*** Borough, Neighborhood(s), Zip Code(s) Status
Sept. 9
between 8:30PM & 6AM Spraying in Brooklyn
Neighborhoods: Parts of Crown Heights, Greenwood Heights, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Lefferts Garden, Prospect Heights, Prospect, Park South, Sunset Park, and Windsor Terrace
Zip codes: 11215, 11217, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11225, 11226, 11232, and 11238
Pesticide to be used: Anvil 10+10 (Sumithrin)
Additional information:
Mosquito Control Notice (PDF)
Location
Scheduled, weather permitting
we have meetings at school tonight, how is everyone supposed to stay home?