After Detecting West Nile Virus, City To Spray Larvicide Again

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — New York City is dousing northeastern Queens in mosquito repellent for the third time this year, after finding West Nile virus in the area.

As of Thursday, the city found 188 groups of mosquitos across the five boroughs that tested positive for the West Nile virus, including some insects in Bayside.

Areas of northeast Queens and Staten Island appear to be the city's West Nile virus hotspots, according to a city map, which is why the health department is planning to spray them with larvicide again.

In Queens, the health department will send low-flying helicopters over parts of Beechhurst, College Point, Malba, and Whitestone starting at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday July 28 until 6 a.m. on Thursday July 29, weather permitting.

Only nonresidential areas, such as marshes and wetlands, will get sprayed with the larvicide, according to the health department — although the agency pointed out that the chemical, VectoMax® GS, is environmentally friendly and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Also, aerial larviciding helps ensure that people stay better protected from mosquito-borne diseases, specifically including West Nile Virus.

So far, cases of West Nile virus have just remained in mosquitos this season, although the DOH is investigating one person in the Bronx who was recently diagnosed with meningitis, which can be caused by West Nile virus.

New York City records cases of West Nile Virus almost every year — city data shows that there's been 435 cases since 1999 — since it's one of the most mosquito-blighted parts of the United States.

To prevent mosquito bites, the Centers for Disease Control suggests using insect repellent that contain DEET, picaridin, ir3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.

Other options include wearing long sleeves and pants, using air-conditioning or window and door screens, and replacing containers of standing water — including vases and pet bowls— weekly, to prevent breeding.

Here's where the aerial larviciding will happen in Queens: