The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) announced that a number of neighborhoods in Brooklyn will be sprayed with mosquito-killing pesticides. The spraying will take place today, August 15th starting at 9:00 PM, through Wednesday, August 16th until 6:00 AM, in order to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus and other diseases caused by mosquitoes. Alternately, it will take place on Wednesday during the same hours, in the case of inclement weather.
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will use spray trucks in certain Brooklyn neighborhoods with zip codes: 11203, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11215, 11217, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11225, 11226, 11232, 11234, 11236, 11238, and 11239. The names of these neighborhoods include Brownsville, City Line, Crown Heights, Ditmas Park, East New York, Farragut, Greenwood Heights, Kensington, New Lots, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Prospect Park South, Remsen Village, Rugby, Spring Creek, Starrett City, Weeksville, Windsor Terrace, and Wingate.
The DOHMH recommends the following precautions to avoid direct exposure to the pesticides.
- Stay indoors during spraying especially if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions.
- Outdoor furniture, equipment, laundry, children’s toys, and other items should be brought inside. If any of these items are exposed to pesticides, wash them thoroughly.
- Set air conditioners to the closed position or select the recirculate function to reduce the possibility of indoor exposure to pesticides.
- Use soap and water to wash exposed skin and clothing thoroughly.
For more information about West Nile virus, call 311 or visit nyc.gov.
