UWS Will Be Sprayed With Pesticide To Stop West Nile, City Says

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect new times for spraying, as released by the Manhattan Borough President.

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY—Dozens of Upper West Side blocks will be sprayed with pesticides Tuesday morning as the city targets mosquitos carrying the West Nile virus, which has surged this year along with the city's insect population.

The area of the Upper West Side being sprayed is east of Columbus Avenue, north of West 59th Street, and south of West 110th Street (ZIP codes 10023, 10024, and 10025). Spraying in the UWS will take place from 1-4 a.m. Tuesday.

The spraying was originally supposed to begin earlier, around 8 p.m. Monday, but the city agreed to push it back due to concerns that it would impact outdoor celebrations of Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday, according to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer's office.

Trucks will start spraying pesticides around 8:30 p.m. Monday and continue through 6 a.m. Tuesday morning in parts of the Upper West and East sides, Central and East Harlem, and Midtown.

Very low levels of pesticides will be sprayed, so there is little risk to people or pets, according to the city's Health Department. Some people sensitive to spray ingredients may suffer rashes or short-term eye and throat irritation, and those with respiratory conditions could also be affected, the city said.

People worried about side effects should stay indoors Monday night. Air conditioners can stay on, but people may choose to close their AC vents or use the "recirculate" function, the city said.

If exposed to the sprays, residents can wash their skin or clothing with soap and water. Fruits and vegetables should also be washed.

The city is experiencing one of its worst mosquito seasons in recent memory, prompting concern from officials like U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, who has called on the EPA to help the city disperse the swarms.

The presence of West Nile, too, has surged this year, with 188 groups of mosquitos across the five boroughs testing positive at one point in July. At the same time last year, there were just 9 positive groups.

The Department of Health attributed this spike in cases to "recent heavy rains," like Tropical Storm Elsa, that cause mosquito populations to rise "significantly," since the insects breed in standing water — another consequence of increasingly severe, climate change-induced weather changes.

The city routinely sprays neighborhoods with pesticides to cull the mosquito populations, with recent targets including Upper Manhattan and northeastern Queens.