West Nile Spraying Slated for Syosset

The Nassau County Health Department will do aerial spraying for mosquitoes Wednesday and Thursday due to the threat of the West Nile virus. Weather permitting, the spraying will take place between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., and if you live in the Syosset-Woodbury area, your home may be affected.

The Health Department says the northern boundary of spraying is Highway 25A
from the Queens line to Route 107. Then, the boundary becomes Jericho
Turnpike from 107 to the Suffolk County line, which includes part of the
Syosset-Woodbury area. 

The pesticide being used is called Scourge. Health effects are said to be quite low, but health officials say people may want to limit exposure because it is a pesticide and in some cases may cause eye, skin, nose or throat irritation.

The Health Department recommends that if you're in an area to be sprayed, you should:

* Stay inside during spraying and 30 minutes afterward.
* Keep windows and doors shut.
* Keep children's toys inside.
* Keep pets, pet food, and water dishes inside.
* Cover fish ponds

Recently the Health Department announced that 48 mosquito pools have tested positive for the West Nile virus this year. Nassau officials say most people infected with the West Nile virus show no symptoms. But in others, symptoms can become very serious and can include a high fever, a coma and paralysis.

For more information, call the West Nile Virus Spray Hotline at 888-844-8657, or check out the Nassau County Department of Health website.