West Nile Spraying Over West Islip Set For Wednesday

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced it will be conducting an aerial spraying against West Nile Virus in West Islip Wednesday night.

The spraying is expected to take place between 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. by a helicopter dispersing the pesticide resmethrin under the brand name "Scourge." The area to be sprayed will span from West Babylon to Brightwaters.

To date, for the virus in both mosquitoes and dead birds in West Islip.

The targeted area is bordered to the west by Santapogue Creek, on the north by Railroad Avenue to Little East Neck Road to Belmont Avenue to Southern Parkway, from the Southern State Parkway along Deer Park Avenue to Union Boulevard, on the East by Windsor Boulevard and on the south by Great South Bay.

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Precautions for Spraying

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

The SCDHS advises 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.