City Health Department crews plan to spray pesticide in neighborhoods in Queens and Staten Island next week as a precaution against the spread of the Zika and West Nile viruses.
“While we do not expect to find Zika in New York City’s mosquitoes, we are taking no chances," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "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.”
Health Department traps have indicated a significant presence of Asia tiger mosquitoes in the neighborhoods that will be sprayed.
Officials stress, however, that no Zika virus has been found in any mosquito in New York City.
The sprayng is scheduled between 10 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday in the southern neighborhoods of Staten Island and the southeastern section of Queens.
Maps of the specific neighborhoods can be seen on the Health Department's website.
