Southern Brooklyn To Be Sprayed For Zika And West Nile Viruses Tonight

Assuming pesticide-permitting weather, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will be spraying key mosquito breeding locations in a variety of residential Brooklyn zip codes beginning tonight, from 10 p.m. till 6 a.m. The intent is to reduce the number of mosquitos and subsequently the risk of the Zika and West Nile viruses.

Adulticide — a term used to describe an array of pesticides — will be sprayed from a truck in portions of 11 different zip codes (11203, 11210, 11212, 11213, 11225, 11229, 11233, 11234, 11235, and 11236). Together, these encompass much of Flatbush and southern Brooklyn, including parts of Gravesend and most of Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach.

According to a press release sent out by Council Member Chaim M. Deutsch of the 48th District, the spray should not cause any irritation to most people, although those with asthma or other respiratory illnesses may experience some skin and eye irritation. To avoid any discomfort, the DOHMH recommends bringing in outdoor furniture and laundry and setting air conditioners to the closed position or selecting the recirculate function.

The first case of West Nile Virus was reported in Brooklyn last week.