Health Department will spray these Brooklyn nabes to safeguard against Zika

Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst are among over 30 nabes in Brooklyn and Queens that will get sprayed with pesticides on Tuesday, August 23 in order to help reduce mosquito activity and the risk of Zika and West Nile viruses.

According to the Health Department, the neighborhoods on the list will be sprayed with a treatment called adulticide due to a “significant presence of Aedes albopictus, or Asian tiger mosquitoes,” in traps formerly set by the agency.

Furthermore, as part of its aggressive three-year, $21 million plan to protect New Yorkers from Zika, the Health Department will treat areas where Aedes albopictus are found in significant numbers as a precaution.

While no Zika virus has been found in New York City, these types of mosquitos have been linked to the illness.

“While we do not expect to find Zika in New York City’s mosquitoes, we are taking no chances. We are moving forward with a safe but aggressive plan to spray pesticide when we find significant numbers of mosquitoes that could possibly carry Zika,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “New Yorkers should continue to enjoy outdoor activities this summer while taking the usual precautions against mosquitoes, including wearing repellant and reporting standing water to 311.”

The upcoming spraying will take place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning in the following Brooklyn neighborhoods: Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, New Utrecht, Brownsville, Broadway Junction, Bushwick, Crown Heights, Cypress Hills, East New York, Glendale, Highland Park, New Lots, Ocean Hill, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Remsen Village, Ridgewood, Rugby, Stuyvesant Heights, Weekville, and Wingate.

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