Nassau, Suffolk step up mosquito spraying

Both Suffolk and Nassau counties plan to spray chemicals in selected communities this week as part of ongoing mosquito-control efforts.

The spraying has become increasingly important as the counties try to contain the West Nile virus, which is spread through bites from infected mosquitoes. The counties also encourage residents to eliminate stagnant water, in which mosquitoes breed, from around their homes.

In Suffolk, ground spraying is planned Tuesday from 6 to 10 p.m. with the pesticide Anvil on all streets in Davis Park and Point O'Woods on Fire Island.

Wednesday, ground spraying with the pesticide Scourge is planned from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. for areas of South Shirley, Mastic Beach and Old Mastic.

Spraying planned for Monday night will be rescheduled in West Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague and Amityville because of operational difficulties, the health department said.

Suffolk heath officials said Friday that 22 more mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus, bringing the total this year to 79. A day earlier, officials said that the state Health Department is investigating a probable case of West Nile in a Suffolk resident, who had been "hospitalized for several days and has fully recovered."

Nassau County is continuing its pesticide ground treatments through Thursday in targeted areas, from 7 p.m. to no later than 2 a.m., weather permitting, health officials said.

Tuesday, sections of East Massapequa, North Massapequa, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Lakeview, Lynbrook, North Lynbrook, Rockville Centre, Malverne, Malverne Oaks, South Hempstead and West Hempstead will be treated.

Wednesday, sections of Bayville, Locust Valley, East Meadow, Hicksville, Levittown, Plainview, Plainedge and Bethpage will be treated.

And on Thursday, sections of Old Bethpage, Bethpage, Farmingdale, South Farmingdale, Plainview and Plainedge will be treated.

Through Monday, Nassau County had 19 positive mosquito samples at 16 of its trap locations, said a health department spokeswoman. The most recent samples, she said, were collected from July 17 through Friday in West Hempstead, Elmont, Mineola, Wantagh, East Garden City, Westbury, Garden City, Old Westbury.

Health officials in each county said chances of experiencing medical problems from spraying were low but that residents may want to avoid exposure, with children and pregnant women especially advised to stay indoors during the treatment and for 30 minutes after.

To learn more, call the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270, the county's spraying information hotline at 631-852-4939 or check the "vector control" section of the health department's website at suffolkcountyny.gov/health.

For updates in Nassau, call the West Nile virus treatment hotline at 888-844-8657 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/health/index.html.