More spraying in southwest Brooklyn for Zika this week
While no mosquitoes in New York City have been found carrying the Zika virus, the Health Department will target parts of Brooklyn and Queens that boast high numbers of a certain type of mosquito, as well as spraying for West Nile Virus as a precautionary measure.
Parts of Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend and Seagate will be sprayed with low concentrations of adulticide (DUET™ and Anvil® 10+10) from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31 to to 6 a.m. the next morning to combat the presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes – the type of mosquito that could potentially transmit the virus.
“While we do not expect to find Zika in New York City’s mosquitoes, we are taking no chances,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett. “We are moving forward with a safe but aggressive plan to spray pesticide when we find significant numbers of mosquitoes that could possibly carry Zika. New Yorkers should continue to enjoy outdoor activities this summer while taking the usual precautions against mosquitoes, including wearing repellent and reporting standing water to 311.”