Plainview to be Sprayed Tuesday for West Nile

Plainview is among the places in Nassau County that will be sprayed for the potentially deadly West Nile Virus on Tuesday, health officials said.

The decision is based on mosquitos captured in traps, an indication of the "persistent presence of West Nile virus activity at these locations," according to the Nassau County Department of Health and Public Works.

The trucks will spray Plainview beginning Tuesday Sept. 20 between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. The nearby communities of Farmingdale, South Farmingdale, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Hicksville, North Massapequa, Plainedge, and Levittown will also take place beginning Tuesday.

Other portions of Nassau County will be sprayed, weather permitting, on Wednesday and Thursday night. The Health Department released a map of areas to be sprayed.

Health officials say they will be using the pesticide "Scourge" to spray locally where mosquitoes have been found.

Federal and state authorities do not require relocation or any special precautions during the period of pesticide application. 

Individuals, especially pregnant women and children, should remain inside during the treatment and for about 30 minutes afterwards.The risk of suffering adverse health affects is low, the health department says, but still recommends precautions be taken. They include:

• Keeping pets indoors, as well as their food, water dishes and toys.
• Keeping windows and doors shut, setting air conditioners to re-circulate if able. Turn window fans off.
• Keeping children's toys indoors.
• Covering fishponds during the spray period.

Since the effects of the ground treatment dissipate in a few hours, it is not necessary to wash off outdoor furniture or playground equipment before use. For additional information, residents can call call the West Nile Virus Treatment Hotline at 1-888-844-8657.

There has been one confirmed case of West Nile Virus in Nassau County this year, a middle-aged male from Hempstead who has fully recovered.

In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta reported more than 1,000 cases of West Nile nationwide, including 128 in New York State. Four of the New Yorkers were among the 57 deaths reported nationwide.

If weather causes spraying to be canceled, it will be done on Monday and Tuesday of next week.