Health Marine Park

Aerial spraying for West Nile virus coming to Marine Park, Fresh Creek Basin

August 15, 2019 Meaghan McGoldrick
Near Salt Marsh Nature Center, in part of Marine Park that was not on Mike Feller’s tour, the shoreline is so scenic. Eagle photo by Lore Croghan
Marine Park. Eagle file photo by Lore Croghan
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To reduce the risk of West Nile virus and minimize the general presence of mosquitos, the Health Department will conduct a second aerial larviciding to marshes in four of the five boroughs next week.

The spraying, which uses environmentally friendly larvicides to kill young mosquitoes before they grow into adults, will take place in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island from Monday, Aug. 19 through Wednesday, Aug. 21.

The spraying will only treat non-residential areas. While three days are allotted for its completion, the treatment may be finished sooner. Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus were discovered about two weeks ago in Health Department monitoring traps in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

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Spots in Brooklyn that will be treated include marsh areas bounded by Flatbush Avenue to the east, Avenue U to the north, Gerritsen Avenue to the west and Belt Parkway to the south in Marine Park, and marsh areas bounded by Louisiana Avenue to the east, Stanley Avenue to the north, East 108th Street to the west and Belt Parkway to the south in Fresh Creek Basin.

In the case of bad weather, spraying will take place from Thursday, Aug. 22 through Monday, Aug. 26, during the same hours.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported this season, but the Health Department is urging people to protect themselves from mosquito bites using insect repellent and protective clothing. New Yorkers can also report standing water by calling 311 or visiting the Health Department’s website, where they can find more information about the West Nile virus.


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