With the summer season finally here and more families enjoying the warmer weather outside, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder has encouraged the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to closely monitor mosquito breeding in an effort to eliminate any potential threats, such as West Nile or other mosquito-borne infections in the Sandy-damaged communities of Southern Queens and Rockaway.

“Southern Queens and Rockaway has always been a known breeding ground for mosquitos and Sandy has only made it worse,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “Controlling the mosquito population is not only a quality of life concern, but West Nile can be fatal, particularly to young children and seniors.”

Areas of standing water, road construction, clogged sewers, catch basins and obstructed waterways has created a welcoming atmosphere for mosquitos throughout Southern Queens and Rockaway. More resources are needed to spray, monitor and trap larva to control the number of adult mosquitos that could breed and carry infections that will potentially harm residents. Last summer we had a low number of reported West Nile in Queens and we want to continue to keep those numbers low, Goldfeder noted.

“Spraying of mosquitoes is a responsible way to rid our area of pests that can carry potential diseases,” said Joann Ariola, president of the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic.

In his letter to DOHMH, Goldfeder urged the agency to increase their mosquito spraying and to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to continue the use of mosquito magnet traps which survey and control adult mosquitos at wastewater treatment plants, as well as work with the Department of Sanitation to enforce lot cleaning.

“The programmatic application of adultcide 4-5 times a summer would provide the relief our residents deserve ,” said Jonathan Gaska, district manager of Community Board 14. “The Department of Health has done this in the past and it always comes down to spending money that the DOH simply does not want to spend!”

Since 1999, 113 cases of the West Nile Virus have been reported by Queens County residents — twice as high as any other borough throughout the City. In addition to West Nile, two other mosquito-borne infections have been found in recent years, including dengue fever, which is detected every year, but deemed to be acquired outside of the city. However last year, the city reported 139 infected cases.

“Frequently flooded lots and roads create the perfect habitat for larva to grow and I strongly urge the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to work with all the necessary city agencies to ensure mosquito breeding is controlled this summer and help residents in their recovery efforts,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “Let’s not wait until it’s too late and take the necessary action now to control the mosquito breeding before it starts.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)