Mosquito spraying set for Fire Island on Thursday

With an eye to adult mosquito control, Suffolk County is planning to conduct ground spraying on Fire Island on Thursday, weather permitting, health officials said.

Ground spraying with the pesticide Anvil is planned for 6 to 10 p.m. on all streets in Fire Island Pines, Water Island, Atlantique and Summer Club, the health department said.

Already announced was ground spraying Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. with the pesticide Anvil on all streets in Ocean Bay Park, Seaview and Ocean Beach on Fire Island, the health department said.

Besides being annoying, some mosquitoes' bites transmit West Nile virus to humans. Mosquitoes pick up the virus through feeding on infected birds.

Last year ranked as the second-worst in U.S. West Nile virus cases since the disease was first detected in the United States in 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Nassau and Suffolk counties reported 14 human cases each last year, including one Nassau death.

The chances of experiencing health effects from ground spraying are "quite low," the health department said in a release, but children and pregnant women should avoid exposure when possible by steering clear of the area during and at least 30 minutes after spraying.

Among the "common sense steps" the department suggests:

-- Close doors, windows and air-conditioning vents during and 30 minutes after spraying;

-- Bring indoors laundry, children's toys, pet food and water dishes;

-- Cover ornamental fish ponds.

Learn more at the county's spraying information hotline 631-852-4939, as well as www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/HealthServices.aspx