Much of Babylon Town Set for West Nile Spraying on Monday

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced Friday, July 27, it'll conduct aerial spraying of pesticides across an area from Amityville and to West Babylon on Monday evening, July 30.

The application of the pesticide - an ultra-low volume aerosol called resmethrin, according to SCDHS - will be applied via aircraft on Monday starting at 7:30 p.m. It's expected to last until 11:30 p.m.

The area affected will be in a block bordered by Montauk Highway to the South, Broadway/Route 110 to the West, the Southern State Parkway to the North and Little East Neck Road to the East.

Uptick in WNV
West Nile virus has exploded in our area recently, with positive mosquito test samples being found in both and multiple times.

Overall, to date this year, 77 mosquito samples - all Culex pipiens-restuans -
and eight birds have tested positive for the virus, according to the SCDHS.

No equine cases have been reported; however, New York state is currently investigating one human case that's being considered as probable for West Nile virus.

The individual, said the SCDHS, was hospitalized for several days and has fully recovered. Confirmation of West Nile virus will be dependent on the results of further testing. There was no word where in the County this case occurred.

Precautions
Suffolk County Health Services stated the chances of experiencing health effects from spraying are low, but advised residents to take precautions and extra steps to avoid exposure before, during or after the aerial spraying.

The SCDHS recommended residents of these areas to do the following:

• Children and pregnant women should avoid any exposure.
• All people should remain indoors until 30 minutes after spraying has finished.
• Close windows and air vents to your home to avoid pesticides from being sucked indoors.
• Pick any homegrown fruits or vegetables before spraying and rinse thoroughly.
• Bring pet dishes such as bowls indoors during the spraying, and cover any fish ponds.
• If you do come into contact with pesticide, then wash area thoroughly with water.

Further questions could be directed to the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at 631-852-4270 or the Spraying Information Hotline at 631-852-4939.

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