Crews are scheduled to spray for the West Nile virus in two Baltimore County neighborhoods.
Maryland has recorded as many as 27 cases of West Nile virus, including two deaths and two new cases in Baltimore County.Maryland Department of Agriculture crews will spray for mosquitoes Tuesday in parts of Parkville ( see map ), and on Wednesday in parts of Catonsville ( see map ). Weather permitting, the crews will spray after 7:30 p.m. on both nights. Officials recommend residents within a one-mile radius around the affected areas to stay indoors during the spraying.
The Sudbrook community of Pikesville is not included in Tuesday's spraying.
The trucks will travel through the affected neighborhoods to spray Biomist 30-30, a product federally approved that contains the active ingredient permethrin.
Crews last sprayed in the Milford Mill, Harundale and Marley neighborhoods late last month.
The MDA reported finding West Nile virus activity in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, northern Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, Montgomery County and on the Eastern Shore.
Experts said there are things people can do to protect themselves, such as getting rid of standing water around the home because it's a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
"If you've got to be out, you should wear long-sleeved, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and, of course, wear repellants," Department of Agriculture spokesman Mike Cantwell said.
Dionna Witherspoon has been paying close attention to her mosquito bites.
"It's kind of scary. I just had about six mosquito bites, and I'm like, 'Do I have it? Do I have it?'" she said. "They need to do what they need to do, so I'm happy. If (spraying is) going to stop it and more people won't die or get sick from this disease, then do what you have to do."
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