Sep 10, 2008 7:51 pm US/Eastern
West Nile Spraying To Begin Tonight In Nassau
MINEOLA (CBS) ―
After three recent deaths blamed on the West Nile virus, health officials on Long Island are stepping up their attack on the mosquitoes that carry the disease.
On Wednesday night they will begin widespread spraying.
At 6:30 p.m. a Piper Aztec filled with pesticide scourge was to begin aerial spraying, targeting mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus. Spraying was cancelled last week due to high winds, and since then a third suspected death linked to the disease is under investigation in Nassau County.
Barbara Cody of Carle Place buried her husband, George, who died of West Nile less than two weeks ago and was stunned to learn that another victim, an elderly man from Mineola, died, doctors say, with all the classic West Nile symptoms.
Last year one person contracted West Nile in Nassau, but this year six have been confirmed to have the disease, with another four probable and a fifth under investigation.
Nassau Health Commissioner Dr. Maria Torroella Carney is working with the Office of Emergency Management hotline contacting all homeowners and taking calls about Wednesday night's spraying.
The boundaries targeted will be the Queens border west to the Seaford-Oyster Bay Expressway and east between the Long Island Expressway and Southern State Parkway.
The spraying will focus on 55 pools of infected mosquitoes. Environmental groups are critical of spraying pesticides and instead want an aggressive campaign to have people get rid of all standing water around their homes.
The county says children and pregnant women especially should avoid exposure. Many back to school nights and college classes have been canceled Wednesday night.
If you live in a neighborhood that is going to be sprayed you are advised to stay inside and close windows and doors, turn off air the conditioning. Also, protect your eyes from the spray and wash any exposed skin immediately.
Finally, avoid touching anything that has been sprayed for at least 30 minutes.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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