WASHINGTON 鈥� Several Montgomery County neighborhoods will see an increase in mosquito spraying. It is part of the state鈥檚 stepped-up fight against mosquito-borne diseases including Zika and West Nile.
On Monday night, Maryland Department of Agriculture
The crews will begin at 7:30 p.m. and residents in the area are being asked to avoid outdoor activity and close windows while spraying is taking place. Also it health officials urge residents to bring in pet bowls and turn off any window air conditioning units.
鈥淲e never spray without a reason, but we can鈥檛 get into any specifics about what the reasons are,鈥� said Brian Prendergast, chief of the department鈥檚 Mosquito Control section.
Increased spraying can come if a person in an area tests positive for a mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, West Nile of Chikungunya. It also may be done if a mosquito tests positive for a virus.
Maryland鈥檚 Health Department has said that mosquitoes in test pools have tested positive for West Nile in both Montgomery and Prince George鈥檚 counties.
Also, the state has reported the in a man who lives in western Maryland. The state says the man has survived the infection.
People in the treatment areas also should expect a visit in the coming days from state and local inspectors which will go door-to-door looking for mosquito breeding sites in backyards.
One of the most effective ways for a homeowner to keep mosquitoes from reproducing is to remove and standing water from around houses.
