West Nile Spraying Begins Wednesday Night in Plainview

The Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works will conduct spraying for West Nile virus in the Plainview area beginning Wednesday night.

Weather permitting, trucks will be dispatched to the area beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday in parts of Plainview and nearby communities.

The county's decision is based on the persistent presence of West Nile virus and mosquito activity.

The schedule looks like this:

Wednesday: 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Thursday.

Hicksville, Plainview, and Bethpage: Old Country Road on the North, Hempstead Turnpike on the South, Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway on the East and Carman Avenue on the West.

Thursday: 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. Friday.

Old Bethpage, Bethpage, Plainview: Old Country Road on the North, Hempstead Turnpike on the South, Route 110 on the East and the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway on the West.

The alternate/rain date is Wednesday, Aug. 8.

Maps of the areas to be treated can be found on the Department of Health web site at: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html.

The chance of experiencing any health effects from the use of the pesticide Scourge to control mosquitoes is quite low, the county said.

As with any pesticide, individuals may want to reduce or eliminate exposure. To reduce exposure, officials suggest:

• Keeping windows and doors shut, setting air conditioners to re-circulate if able. Turn window fans off.
• Keeping children's toys indoors.
• Keeping pets indoors, as well as their food, water dishes and toys.
• Covering fishponds during the spray period.
• Pregnant women should remain indoors, however, during the spraying 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, although doing so will not diminish the effectiveness of the pesticide applied, authorities said.

For additional information: Please call the West Nile Virus Treatment Hotline at 1-888-844-8657 or visit the Nassau County Department of Health website at:  http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html