Harlem To Be Sprayed With Pesticides As West Nile Virus Surges: City

HARLEM, NY — Harlem and a large swath of Upper Manhattan will be sprayed with pesticides as the city contends with a surge in mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the Department of Health said.

The spraying, scheduled for Sept. 15, will cover all of Manhattan's West Side and some of the East Side north of 57th Street, expanding eastward at East 102nd Street to cover East Harlem, and continuing uptown through Inwood.

It will run from 8:30 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. the following morning, the department said. (In case of bad weather, it will be pushed to Sept. 19.)

Any risks to people and pets are low, since the spraying will only involve "very low concentrations" of pesticides, the city says. Still, some people sensitive to the spray ingredients might have brief rashes or irritation to the eye or throat, and those with respiratory conditions might also be affected, the city says.

To stay safe, the city recommends staying indoors and closing air conditioner vents, though ACs can stay on. Anyone exposed to the spray can wash their skin and clothing with soap and water.

Last month, the Health Department revealed that two New Yorkers had been sickened with West Nile this year, while 1,068 mosquitoes had been found carrying the virus so far in 2022 — the highest number on record.

Symptoms of West Nile include headache, fever, muscle aches and extreme fatigue, the city said. Some cases can be fatal, especially for older patients, while others can cause no symptoms at all.

To do your part to stem the mosquito tide, the city says New Yorkers' best option is to eliminate any standing water from their properties. Making sure windows have screens and buying an EPA-approved insect repellent are other useful steps.

The city also plans to spray large swaths of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx with pesticides starting Tuesday, the department said.

Related coverage: West Nile Virus Breaks Record In NYC Mosquitoes, 2 People Infected