by Gina Martinez
Pesticide spraying to combat mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus have been done all over the city, including Queens. The next round of truck spraying will be Tuesday night in parts of Jackson Heights, Astoria and Woodside. The sprayings will take place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday, weather permitting.
The Queens neighborhoods are being sprayed because of a significant presence of Aedes Albopicus, also known as Asian Tiger mosquitoes. The Zika virus has not been found in any mosquito in New York City, but the Asian Tiger can carry the virus. The spraying is being used as a preventative measure, although Asian Tiger mosquitoes are not the kind responsible for the current outbreak in Latin and Central America, the city Department of Health said. said.
The city has a three-year, $21 million plan to protect New Yorkers from the Zika virus. The Health Department will spray areas with significant number of Asian Tiger mosquitoes as a precaution. For the spraying of Queens the DOH is using a low concentration of DUET Duel-Action Adulticide, which when used properly poses no harm to human health, the Health Department said. To avoid direct exposure the DOH recommended staying indoors, if possible during the spraying, and to remove children’s toys and equipment from outdoor areas during the spraying
