Nassau County plans mosquito spraying

As part of the county's 2012 mosquito control plan, the Nassau County Department of Health announced that the first wave of pesticide treatment will begin Wednesday night, and continue Thursday and Monday.

The announcement came a day after health officials reported that West Nile virus had been detected in mosquito samples from four of the county's trap locations.

From 7 p.m. to no later than 2 a.m., trucks will spray the mosquito control pesticide Scourge, which is unlikely to result in health issues for most people because low concentrations are used, according to the health department. Still, children and pregnant women should take steps to avoid exposure, the health department said Tuesday in a news release.

The first wave of locations to be sprayed in the coming days were chosen based on data such as the number and types of mosquitoes present, as well as their persistence, said Carolyn McCummings, health department spokeswoman.

Areas to be treated Wednesday are sections of Old Westbury, Garden City, Albertson, Westbury, Salisbury, Carle Place, Williston Park, Roslyn Heights, East Garden City, East Williston and Mineola.

On Thursday, sections of Salisbury, East Meadow, East Garden City, Garden City, Hempstead and Uniondale are scheduled for spraying.

Monday, Salisbury, East Meadow, East Garden City, New Cassel and Westbury are scheduled for spraying.

However, because rain is forecast, residents should check the health department's website, www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html, or hotline, 888-844-8657, to see if the treatment will be rescheduled, McCummings said.

Rain dates for the treatment are July 24 and 25.

To reduce exposure to the pesticide, residents should:

Stay indoors during and up to 30 minutes after treatment.

Close windows and doors; set air conditioners to circulate indoor air.

Keep children's toys indoors, as well as pets and their food, water dishes and toys.

So far this year, Suffolk County has reported 10 mosquito samples and one dead crow as testing positive for the virus. People become infected through the bite of an infected mosquito, which is why health officials advise eliminating stagnant water around homes where mosquitoes breed.