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5. WEST NILE VIRUS – PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION PLAN 2006
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HEALTH, RECREATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMITTEE AND CORPORATE SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
That Council approve funding in the amount of $835,000 to be cost shared with the Province for the continuation of the existing West Nile Virus Preparedness and Prevention Plan for 2006, including:
1. Public
education, particularly with respect to personal protective measures against
mosquitoes and source reduction of mosquito breeding sites.
2. Mosquito,
birds of concern and human surveillance.
3. Source
reduction of mosquito breeding sites on City-owned property.
4. Mosquito
control using a biological larvicide (Bti) on surface waters (i.e. ditches,
storm water management ponds) and a chemical larvicide (methoprene) in
non-surface waters (i.e. catch basins of roadside storm sewers) and in sewage
lagoons.
5. Mosquito
control using adulticide (Malathion) would be used only in circumstances deemed
absolutely necessary. Evidence of intense transmission in birds, and/or
particular mosquito species as well as human disease would be used to take this
decision. The decision to adulticide
rests with the Medical Officer of Health and would depend on updated risk
assessments examining:
a. the
level of risk to the public health from the mosquito-borne virus; and
b. the
risk to human health of exposure to the adulticide.
RECOMMENDATIONS Du COMITÉ de
la santÉ, des loisirs et des services sociaux et du comitÉ des services
organisationnels et du dÉveloppement Économique
Que le Conseil
municipal approuve un financement de 835 000 $, suivant une formule de partage
des coûts avec la Province, en vue de la continuation du plan de mesures
d'urgence et de prévention du virus du Nil occidental en 2006, qui comporterait
:
1. une campagne de
sensibilisation du public, notamment en ce qui concerne les mesures de
protection personnelle contre les moustiques et de contrôle des lieux de
reproduction des moustiques;
2. un programme de
surveillance des moustiques, des oiseaux de souci et des humains;
3. le contrôle des lieux de
reproduction des moustiques sur les propriétés municipales;
4. la lutte contre les
moustiques au moyen d'un larvicide biologique (Bti) dans les eaux de surface
(fossés et bassins de rétention des eaux pluviales) et d'un larvicide chimique
(méthoprène) dans les eaux profondes (puisards de rue des égouts pluviaux) et
dans les bassins d'eaux usées;
5. seulement si cela s'avère
absolument nécessaire, la lutte contre les moustiques au moyen d'un imagocide
(malathion); la décision de recourir à ce moyen serait fondée sur des
indications d'un fort taux de transmission de la maladie chez les oiseaux et
(ou) certaines espèces de moustiques ainsi que sa présence chez les humains et
serait prise par le médecin chef en santé publique en fonction d'évaluations à
jour des risques portant sur :
a. le niveau de risque pour
la santé publique que pose la transmission de la maladie par les moustiques; et
Documentation
1. Deputy
City Manager, Community and Protective Services report dated 3 March 2006 (ACS2006-CPS-HEA-0004).
Report to/Rapport au:
Health, Recreation and Social Services
Committee
Comité de
la santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux
and / et
Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee
Comité des services
organisationnels et du developpement économiques
3 March
2006 / le 3 mars 2006
Submitted
by/Soumis par: Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager, Community and Protective
Services / Directeur municipal adjoint, Services communautaires et de
protection
Contact
Person/Personne ressource:
Dr. Dave Salisbury, Medical Officer of Health / Médecin chef
Ottawa Public Health/Santé publique Ottawa
(613) 580-2424 x23681, dave.salisbury@ottawa.ca
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City-Wide/ Portée
générale Ref N° :ACS2006-CPS-HEA-0004 |
SUBJECT: WEST NILE VIRUS - PREPAREDNESS AND PREVENTION
PLAN 2006
OBJET: VIRUS
DU NIL OCCIDENTAL - PLAN DE MESURES ET DE Prévention 2006
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee recommend to the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee that Council approve funding in the amount of $835,000 to be cost shared with the Province for the continuation of the existing West Nile Virus Preparedness and Prevention Plan for 2006, including:
1. Public education, particularly with respect
to personal protective measures against mosquitoes and source reduction of
mosquito breeding sites.
2. Mosquito,
birds of concern and human surveillance.
3. Source
reduction of mosquito breeding sites on City-owned property.
4. Mosquito
control using a biological larvicide (Bti) on surface waters (i.e. ditches,
storm water management ponds) and a chemical larvicide (methoprene) in
non-surface waters (i.e. catch basins of roadside storm sewers) and in sewage
lagoons.
5. Mosquito
control using adulticide (Malathion) would be used only in circumstances deemed
absolutely necessary. Evidence of intense transmission in birds, and/or
particular mosquito species as well as human disease would be used to take this
decision. The decision to adulticide
rests with the Medical Officer of Health and would depend on updated risk
assessments examining:
a. the
level of risk to the public health from the mosquito-borne virus; and
b. the
risk to human health of exposure to the adulticide.
Que le Comité de la
santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux recommande que le Comité des
services organisationnels et du développement économique que le Conseil
municipal approuve un financement de 835 000 $, suivant une formule de partage
des coûts avec la Province, en vue de la continuation du plan de mesures
d'urgence et de prévention du virus du Nil occidental en 2006, qui comporterait
:
1. une campagne de sensibilisation du
public, notamment en ce qui concerne les mesures de protection personnelle contre
les moustiques et de contrôle des lieux de reproduction des moustiques;
2. un programme de
surveillance des moustiques, des oiseaux de souci et des humains;
3. le contrôle des lieux de
reproduction des moustiques sur les propriétés municipales;
4. la lutte contre les
moustiques au moyen d'un larvicide biologique (Bti) dans les eaux de surface
(fossés et bassins de rétention des eaux pluviales) et d'un larvicide chimique
(méthoprène) dans les eaux profondes (puisards de rue des égouts pluviaux) et
dans les bassins d'eaux usées;
5. seulement si cela s'avère absolument
nécessaire, la lutte contre les moustiques au moyen d'un imagocide (malathion);
la décision de recourir à ce moyen serait fondée sur des indications d'un fort
taux de transmission de la maladie chez les oiseaux et (ou) certaines espèces
de moustiques ainsi que sa présence chez les humains et serait prise par le
médecin chef en santé publique en fonction d'évaluations à jour des risques
portant sur :
a. le niveau de risque pour la santé publique que pose la
transmission de la maladie par les moustiques; et
b. le
niveau de risque pour la santé humaine d'une exposition à l'imagocide.
RÉSUMÉ
Le virus du Nil occidental demeure une menace à
la santé publique tant que les taux d’infection actuels n’auront pas diminué.
La maladie est relativement nouvelle et donc imprévisible. À Ottawa, on a
signalé trois cas d’infection au virus du Nil occidental chez l’être humain en
2005; pour l’ensemble de l’Ontario on a répertorié au total 101 cas d’infection.
En 2004, un seul cas avait été répertorié à Ottawa, et 13 dans l’ensemble de
l’Ontario. Bien que les conditions
climatiques à Ottawa en 2004 fussent propices à la reproduction des moustiques,
mais non à l’amplification ni à la dissémination du virus, celles de 2005
furent propices à la fois à la reproduction des moustiques et à l’amplification
et à la dissémination du virus. Le taux de reproduction des moustiques et la
capacité de propagation du virus aux oiseaux et aux êtres humains sont en
grande partie tributaires des conditions climatiques. Comme il est difficile de prévoir si les conditions climatiques
du printemps et de l’été 2006 seront propices à la dissémination du virus du
Nil occidental, on recommande la mise en application d’un programme de contrôle
semblable à celui de 2005.
Un budget de 835 000 $ a été prévu pour ce
programme dont les coûts seront partagés dans une proportion de 65:35 avec la
province. La contribution de 35% de la
Ville sera donc de 292 250 $, soit le même montant qu’en 2005. L’approbation de la recommandation nécessite
une contribution de 292 250 $ du fonds de réserve municipal. Comme par les
années passées, les fonds alloués au programme ne figurent pas dans le budget
annuel car les exigences du programme n’étaient pas connues au moment de la
préparation du budget de la Ville. La surveillance au cours des 4 dernières
années révèle la présence du virus du Nil occidental à Ottawa et, par
conséquent, la Direction de la santé publique d’Ottawa propose qu’à partir de
2007, le financement du programme de prévention et de contrôle du virus du Nil
occidental figure dans le budget d’exploitation de la Ville.
Le programme de prévention et de contrôle de
2005 avait un budget de 650 000 $ partagé dans une proportion de 55:45 avec
la province. Comme 2005 fut la dernière année d’un contrat de 3 ans avec un
fournisseur pour le contrôle du virus du Nil occidental, et qu’un nouveau
contrat devra être signé par le biais du processus de demande de propositions
pour services professionnels, on prévoit que les coûts pour le programme de
2006 seront plus élevés que ceux du programme similaire pour 2005. De plus, en
raison de la nouvelle formule de financement, le ministère de la Santé a
indiqué qu’à partir de 2006 il ne financera plus l’élément du programme
consacré à la surveillance des moustiques. Les coûts reliés à cet élément du
programme frisaient les 113 000 $ en 2005.
Les discussions
permanentes avec la population en mené en 2003 à la création d’un registre des
résidents vulnérables. Ce registre sera maintenu en 2006. On discute aussi avec
les intervenants des gouvernements provincial et fédéral.
BACKGROUND
The first human West Nile Virus cases appeared in Canada in 2002. West Nile Virus is a bird disease transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. The 2005 Preparedness and Prevention Plan included human, bird and mosquito surveillance, source reduction of mosquito breeding sites, reduction of larvae populations of mosquitoes of concern, as well as public education activities.
Human Surveillance
Ottawa Public Health worked closely with local hospitals to detect and monitor potential West Nile Virus infections. Hospitals send Ottawa Public Health reports of suspected encephalitis or meningitis cases, in addition to probable West Nile Virus positive lab results. For suspected cases, staff will complete a comprehensive questionnaire in co-operation with the patient (and/or family), and their physician. This questionnaire captures important information regarding the patient's activities, and helps shed light on the means of infection. The completed questionnaire is then forwarded to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care in accordance with provincial legislation.
Bird Surveillance
In 2005, the City of Ottawa actively encouraged residents to call the City to report any sightings of dead crows, ravens and blue jays (birds of concern), as these birds are particularly susceptible to the virus and serve as an indicator for potential disease activity in humans. The City received close to 2,000 reports of dead birds. Of these, 298 were birds of concern and were picked up by Ottawa Public Health staff. Fifty-eight of the birds were sent for testing, and 6 of these were found to be positive for the virus. Birds of concern are sent for testing until the presence of the West Nile virus has been confirmed in the area, usually after 4 to 6 birds have tested positive. Once the presence of the West Nile virus has been confirmed, birds of concern are no longer sent for testing but Ottawa Public Health continues to pick them up for statistical purposes.
Larval Mosquito Surveillance
and Control
Extensive and varied larval surveillance was undertaken in 2005.
First, roadside storm sewer access points
were examined to determine the number and species of larvae present. Once a
significant number of catch basins were found to contain larvae, the larvicide
(Methoprene) application program began. The City of Ottawa treated close to
100,000 roadside storm sewer access points on two separate occasions. A third
treatment was applied to a limited number of catch basins, based on evidence
that they harboured high populations of mosquitoes capable of transmitting the
West Nile Virus.
Second, surface waters were examined to determine if mosquitoes were using them as breeding sites. The initial stage entailed an examination of GIS data and maps to predict water accumulation; a physical survey was also done to check if water remained in areas long enough for the complete maturation of mosquito larvae. This exercise included all Storm Water management ponds and areas surrounding larger populated areas. Areas of concern were treated with the biological larvicide Bti.
Other local stakeholders participated in these two activities. The National Capital Commission (NCC), the Federal Public Works Department (PWGSC), the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Provincial Ministry of Transportation engaged in similar larval control activities in areas under their jurisdiction.
The 3 federal stakeholders have proposed that starting in 2006, and on a cost recovery basis, Ottawa Public Health oversee the delivery of a West Nile Virus Control program on federal lands owned or managed located within the City of Ottawa. This would result in a more cohesive West Nile Virus control program being conducted on municipal and federal lands. Ottawa Public Health is working with the City’s Legal Services and Supply Management Division to ensure that the federal proposal meets all City policies, guidelines and requirements, prior to signing a formal agreement.
Adult Mosquito
Surveillance
Along with bird surveillance, mosquito
surveillance is used to track the activity of the West Nile virus. The City of Ottawa gathered information
about West Nile Virus in adult mosquitoes using a systematic trapping strategy.
The surveillance program consisted of 25 fixed traps that were cleared weekly.
Additional traps were used in specific situations requiring more intense
surveillance. Over 120,000 mosquitoes were captured, counted and identified
over the 2005 season. A total of 1,116 sets of mosquitoes (known as pools) were
tested for West Nile Virus in 2005. Two
mosquito pools were found to be positive for West Nile Virus. In the previous
year, no mosquito pools were found to be positive.
Adult Mosquito Control Using Adulticide (Malathion)
Since the inception of the West
Nile Virus preparedness and prevention plan in 2002, the City has not had to
use mosquito control using adulticide (Malathion). The plan identifies this as an option, but it would only be used
in circumstances deemed absolutely necessary.
Evidence of intense transmission in birds, and/or particular mosquito
species as well as human disease would be used to take this decision. The
decision to adulticide rests with the Medical Officer of Health and would
depend on updated risk assessments examining: a)
the level of risk to the public
health from the mosquito-borne virus; and b) the risk to human health of exposure to the adulticide.
Response to Environmentally Sensitive Persons
A registry for environmentally sensitive
people was set up with the cooperation of local physician specialists in 2003.
People could register on the Website, by mail, or by phone. Those registered
would be notified of any adulticide applications within 100 meters of their
residence. In accordance with provincial legislation, notification would also
be published in local newspapers. Information on how to reduce exposure during
an adulticide application was posted on the City's website. Since no adulticide
was used, the registrants did not need to be contacted. The current registry will be kept and
updated in 2006.
Public Information
Information posted on the City Website
during the summer months included the history of the virus, personal
protection, source reduction information, West Nile Virus symptoms, the City's
response plan, and progress reports. Ottawa Public Health established a West
Nile Virus information 'hotline,' as well as a dedicated dead birds of concern
line. A special phone extension was set up to receive calls on the
Environmental Sensitivities registry from persons without web access, and to
answer specific questions.
A weekly “West Nile virus Update” was posted on the City web site. Ottawa Public Health Update, mailed to all physicians in the City, included important information on West Nile Virus.
A number of 'media events' were held to inform the general public about source reduction of mosquito breeding sites, personal protection against bites, and dead bird reporting. Corporate Communications played an important role in organizing these events.
CONSULTATION
Ongoing dialogue with the public, media and
key stakeholders through phone hotlines, media events, newsletters, meetings
and teleconferences will continue in 2006. Ottawa Public Health created a
registry for environmentally sensitive people as a result of consultation with
groups, residents and physicians representing this population. The registry
will continue in 2006.
Methoprene: The larvicide, applied to roadside storm sewer catch basins, works by arresting the final stage of development of the mosquito larvae so that adults do not emerge. According to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s provincial preparedness plan, methoprene "does not pose unreasonable risks to wildlife, people or the environment. It breaks down quickly in water and soil and does not leach into groundwater."
Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis):
The biological larvicide, applied to surface water, causes death in the larvae
by releasing a toxin into its stomach. The provincial plan states:" Safety
evaluation of Bti application for larval control has shown little or no risk to
wildlife or other non-target species, or to human health if accidentally
ingested. The Bti toxin is released in the alkaline environment of the insect
larva's stomach and animal stomachs have acidic stomach environments."
RURAL IMPLICATIONS
In general, rural areas outside small towns
do not have storm sewer catch basins. Rural areas, however, do require the bulk
of surface water Bti application, where conditions warrant.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONSFor 2006, there is no current budget identified to
fund this initiative. Subject to
Council approval, one time funding from the City Wide Reserve Fund is
recommended to address this requirement in 2006. As part of the 2007 budget, the Community & Protective
Services Department will bring forward a budget pressure identifying
the funding requirement.
The
tax increase forecast for 2007 as presented in the 2006 Draft Budget Summary
document was projected to be 8.1%. The
impact of this additional requirement in 2007 will result in an 0.032% tax
increase. All additional requirements
approved by Council that have a 2007 budget implication will be summarized and
presented in the City’s quarterly status reports.
In 2005, the City's West Nile Virus
Preparedness and Prevention plan had a budget of $650,000. Total costs by the
end of the year were $608,000; this was cost shared 55:45 with the Province of
Ontario picking up 55 percent of the cost. Requirements of the program for 2006
are likely to exceed those experienced last year due to the expiration of the
existing contract with the West Nile Virus control service provider and the need
to go through the Request for Proposal-Professional Services process. As well, the Ministry of Health has decided
not to fund the mosquito-trapping component of a West Nile Virus control
program in 2006. This component cost
was approximately $113,000 in 2005.
As in 2005, Ottawa Public Health proposes
two full applications of the larvicide Methoprene to each of the close to
100,000 roadside catch basins, as well as a targeted third application for
later in the season. Under normal
weather condition, it is felt that this approach will offer the required
mosquito control measures. The larvicide Bti will be applied to surface waters
where required.
An amount of $835,000 is recommended for the West Nile Virus Preparedness and Prevention Plan in 2006. It is expected that the Province will cost-share this amount 65:35 with the municipality.
Approval of the recommendation
requires a contribution from
the City-Wide Reserve Fund of $292,250.
($835,000 X 35 percent).
For
2006, there is no current budget identified
to fund this initiative. Subject to
Council approval, one time funding from the City Wide Reserve Fund is
recommended to address this requirement in 2006. As part of the 2007 budget, the Community & Protective
Services Department will bring forward
a budget pressure identifying the funding requirement.
The tax
increase forecast for 2007 as presented in the 2006 Draft Budget Summary
document was projected to be 8.1%. The
impact of this additional requirement in 2007 will result in an 0.032% tax
increase. All additional requirements
approved by Council that have a 2007 budget implication will be summarized and
presented in the City’s quarterly status reports.
1. The
City of Ottawa 2005 West Nile virus preparedness and prevention plan Report to
Council. http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/hrssc/2005/04-07/ACS2005-CPS-HEA-0003.htm
2. Ontario
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care 2005 West Nile virus Preparedness and
Prevention Plan. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ministry_reports/wnv_plan_2005/wnv_plan_2005_full.pdf
3. Ontario
Regulation 199/03. http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/030199_e.htm
1. Ottawa
Public Health will implement the decisions resulting from the consideration of
this report.
2. The
Medical Officer of Health will provide public updates on the status of West
Nile Virus in Ottawa throughout the 2006 season.