City Health Dept To Spray Pesticide To Prevent Zika & West Nile in South Bronx Tonight

HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SPRAY PESTICIDE FROM TRUCKS FOR FIFTH TIME IN 2016 TO REDUCE RISK OF ZIKA AND WEST NILE VIRUSES

 

No Zika virus found, no Zika transmission from local mosquitoes in NYC

 

As a precaution, Department will target parts of the Bronx where significant numbers of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, potential transmitters of Zika, were found

                                                                                 

August 15, 2016 – To reduce mosquito activity and the risk of  Zika and West Nile viruses, the Health Department will spray pesticide from trucks in parts of the Bronx on Monday, August 15 between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting. In case of bad weather, application will be delayed until Tuesday, August 16 during the same hours.

 

The Bronv neighborhoods listed below are being treated with adulticide due to a significant presence of Aedes albopictus, or Asian tiger mosquitoes, in traps set by the Health Department. No Zika virus has been found in any mosquito in New York City. Although Aedes albopictusmosquitoes can carry Zika virus, they are not responsible for the current outbreak in Latin and Central America. Aedes aegypti, a cousin to Aedes albopictus which has never been found in New York City, is responsible for the current outbreak.

 

As part of its aggressive three-year, $21 million plan to protect New Yorkers from Zika, the Health Department will spray pesticide in areas where Aedes albopictusare found in significant numbers as a precaution. The Department remains cautiously optimistic that Zika virus will not be found in mosquitoes in New York City.  

 

“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,” saidHealth 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 neighborhoods listed below have also met sufficient criteria for truck spraying of adulticide – an increase in West Nile virus activity as well as high numbers of Culex mosquitoes that have been known to transmit West Nile virus in New York City since 1999. These mosquitoes are not known to transmit Zika virus.

 

Locations of Application in the Bronx to Reduce Risk of West Nile and Zika Viruses

 

South Bronx 10451, 10452, 10455 10456. 10459 and 10474.

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