Suffolk sets mosquito spraying for Tuesday

Ground spraying to control adult mosquito populations on parts of Fire Island, as well as in Beach Hampton and Napeague, is scheduled for Tuesday, Suffolk County health officials said.

The pesticide applications are designed to limit the development of mosquitoes, which through bites can spread the West Nile virus.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said ground spraying using the pesticide Anvil will cover parts of Davis Park and Point O'Woods on Fire Island from 6 to 10 p.m., weather permitting. Ground spraying using the pesticide Scourge also will be performed in Beach Hampton and Napeague between 7:30 and 11:30 p.m., also weather permitting.

Chances of experiencing medical problems because of the applications are low, health officials said, but residents may want to avoid exposure, with children and pregnant women especially advised to stay indoors during and 30 minutes after the sprays.

Last year ranked as the second-worst in U.S. West Nile virus cases since the disease was first detected in the United States in 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Nassau and Suffolk counties each reported 14 human cases last year, including one Nassau death.