Just as word was getting around last week that a Mineola resident was the first Long Island death from the West Nile-like encephalitis, Nassau County Department of Health officials finally approved aerial spraying of insecticides designed to kill the mosquitoes carrying the disease.

Although Jennie Annette, 76, also suffered from diabetes and was legally blind, officials at Winthrop-University Hospital confirmed the cause of death was the mosquito-borne virus. She died Oct. 4 at the hospital, weeks after she was stricken and taken to the hospital with a high fever and uncontrollable shaking.

Annette was a resident of Cleveland Avenue and is believed to have been bitten on Sept. 4 at a block party in Mineola. Winthrop-University Hospital has treated four of six Nassau residents with the virus. One remained hospitalized as of press time.

While the community mourned the loss of one of its own, it also galvanized into action to prepare for the spraying Friday night and to show that an ounce of prevention goes a long way.

The Mineola Fire Department was issued cases of insect spray containing the pesticide DEET for home use. It distributed them out of its Elm Place headquarters throughout the weekend. By noon on Friday, already 116 residents had picked up their cans.

The fire department drove through the streets of the village last week warning of the spraying and alerting residents to the availability of the free insect repellent. The village also issued leaflets door to door.

"The mayor's concern is that there may be some people who don't listen to the radio or don't have televisions or who just don't pay attention," said Walter Moloughney, an aide to Mayor John Colbert. "That's why we did second distribution of fliers telling residents to take precautions."

Pat Woods, fire department secretary, had planned to take Friday off, but was out at the fire house distributing bug spray and answering questions.

"When I was at home Thursday and I heard the fire department over the bullhorn, I thought it would be a bad day to take off," she said.

At the Elm Place station, volunteers reported varying reactions from residents to the encephalitis outbreak and the issue of spraying pesticides.

"Some of the residents are extremely practical and some are alarmed," said Kyle Teemsma, a village employee who volunteered to hand out bug spray. "They hear so many different stories. One gentleman asked if he should spray himself while he's in the house ¬ if he should be sprayed at all times."

County health officials issued two kinds of spray, one for adults and one for children, and said people should only spray areas of the body which are exposed.

Meanwhile, the village was working to protect its facilities and utilities from the aerial spraying of the insecticide Anvil, which was dropped from helicopters between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. for central Nassau.

"We have taken steps to wrap the intake of the air conditioning unit in village hall to protect it from the spraying," Teemsma said. "Also, the water department is taking precautions to protect the water supply."

Although county officials have tried to assure residents of the relative safety of Anvil, according to the Environmental Defense Fund Scorecard, Anvil (also known as Hexaconazole) is suspect, but not a recognized carcinogen. The county has advised municipalities to wash down all school playgrounds and other public areas after the spraying, and to keep all sand areas closed for 48 hours after spraying.

The possible dangers caused by Anvil on marine life has resulted in a temporary restraining order on aerial spraying on the south shore of Long Island. As of press time, the pesticide was to be sprayed from a truck near the shore line beginning Monday night. Aerial spraying was to begin for the southern communities which are more inland.

Now that Nassau has finally come through with the spraying, questions remain as to whether the county will spray again, and if so, when that will take place. Westchester, Queens and other counties have conducted multiple sprayings. Health department officials were unavailable Monday because of the Columbus Day holiday. Residents with questions about encephalitis or future spraying should call the Nassau County Department of Health at 571-8707, 571-8708 or 573-7055.

Amy Edel contributed to this story.