Suffolk to spray for mosquitoes on Fire Island

Suffolk County is planning to conduct ground spraying Wednesday and Thursday on Fire Island to control the adult mosquito population, health officials said.

Ground spraying with the pesticide Anvil is planned, weather permitting, Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Ocean Bay Park, Seaview and Ocean Beach, health officials said.

Spraying in Fire Island Pines, Water Island, Atlantique and Summer Club is planned for Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., officials said.

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

Suffolk County has reported 126 mosquito samples testing positive for the virus this year, and no human cases. On Wednesday Nassau County reported 25 positive samples and one human case, a woman older than 60 from the Town of Oyster Bay, who was hospitalized and is now recovering, a spokeswoman said.

The chances of experiencing health effects from spraying are "quite low," the health department said, 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 is closing doors, windows and air-conditioning vents during and 30 minutes after spraying.

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