West Nile Virus Information
Update June 23, 2004
Interior Health Update
1. In BC there has been no detection of WNV in animal, bird or mosquito, however detection has occurred in people who had traveled to neighbouring provinces.
2. Over 1900 birds were tested in BC in 2003. BC, PEI, NFLD and the Territories have had no positive WNV detection in birds.
3. Mosquito trapping throughout the province continued into the fall of 2003 in order to establish baseline species. No positive mosquito pools were detected in BC.
4. As part of the province’s co-ordinated West Nile virus strategy, the Minister of Health Services has obtained a BC wide permit under the Pesticide Control Act to control mosquitoes. It provides a legal mechanism to allow pesticide application if health officials determine the virus poses a public-health threat.
Learn how to protect yourself during the mosquito season by reading the West Nile Brochure 2004.
City Update
1. The City will continue to forward complaints of mosquito breeding areas to the Regional District of the Central Okanagan for monitoring and treatment under their program.
2. As of June 29th the City launched a Catch Basin Mosquito Control Program to minimize the potential spread of the West Nile Virus in the Kelowna area. City staff will be using a biological control agent to treat 6,000 catch basins throughout the city in an effort to reduce the presence of mosquito larvae. Treatments are occurring on a bi-weekly basis from June 29th to August 25th.
3. The Okanagan is home to approximately 30 different species of mosquito, however only three species have a higher likelihood of carrying the West Nile Virus. The mosquito varieties of particular concern are Culex tarsalis, Culex pipiens and Culiseta inornata. They are known to be long-lived, have a preference for birds and they lay their eggs on stagnant surface water.
4. Despite the fact these mosquitoes may potentially carry the virus, tests have shown that less than 1% are actually infected. That means that less than 1% of people bitten by these particular mosquitoes will contract the West Nile Virus or develop associated symptoms.
5. The City is working with a professional biologist and mosquito expert to monitor the catch basins on municipal property. Adult mosquito light traps are also being used to identify the species of mosquitoes present and the impacts the biological control agent is having on mosquito populations. The biological larvacide, known as Aquabac, is one of the least harmful of the products that could be applied to destroy the larvae. (Aquabac kills the larvae within 48 hours of application. The bacteria contained in Aquabac occur naturally in the soil and are harmless to mammals, however they may be toxic to moths, butterflies, certain beetles and some flies.)
6. Alternative treatments and Integrated Pest Management will be further reviewed by City and RDCO staff.
7. The City will partner with RDCO and IHR on information and education. The funding for this is also covered by the Province.
8. The City and RDCO will continue to work with Interior Health and other agencies towards program improvements or changes as necessary.
9. The City has received $50,000 funding as a one time provincial grant for 2004 to offset West Nile Virus mitigation project costs.
RDCO Update
1. The RDCO will maintain its annual Nuisance Mosquito Control program. Working jointly with officials from the City of Kelowna, Interior Health and the Districts of Peachland and Lake Country, the RDCO will monitor water samples from public lands to determine the presence of mosquito larvae.
2. The Regional District received a provincial grants totalling $99,000 this year to assist with the program, which runs from April through September. The funds will be used to provide additional monitoring and control.
3. About 50 known breeding locations are inspected on public property in the Central Okanagan. The mosquito breeding sites are visited every two weeks to ensure there are no new hatches.
4. If an active site is found and the water isn’t used for drinking or connected to a fish-bearing stream, larvicide pellets are applied to the standing water. The larvicide, known as BTI, kills the larvae within 48 hours of application. The bacteria contained in BTI occur naturally in the soil, and are harmless to mammals. It may be toxic to moths, butterflies, certain beetles and some flies.
5. The City and RDCO will continue to work with Interior Health to inform the public and provide information to Council and the Regional Board on WNV, mosquito control and monitoring.
Questions and Answers about West Nile Virus
Mosquito Control
For mosquito control in one's own backyard please refer to "Questions and Answers” above or access the Interior Health Authority's website: www.interiorhealth.ca
Call 868-5241 to report nuisance mosquito areas.
Background Information: Interior Health
- As of October 2, 2003 Interior Health had investigated six probable cases of West Nile virus infection.
- One case has been confirmed as caused by West Nile virus.
- All cases are travel related; one individual had been to Colorado, the others had visited Saskatchewan.
- “It is important to remind everyone who may have travelled to the Prairies or the U.S. that the virus is present in many of these areas and could have been transmitted through a mosquito bite,” says Dr. Paul Hasselback, Senior Medical Health Officer.
- Nationwide there have been 857 probable and confirmed cases to date, with four deaths.
- Of these cases 692 have occurred in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
- Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, eyes that are sensitive to light, muscle and joint pain and upset stomach. In fewer than 1 in 100 cases more severe illness such as inflammation of the brain and its lining can occur.
- If you have travelled outside BC to any Canadian or American destinations, and were bitten by mosquitoes, there is a small chance you could become ill. If you experience any of the above symptoms contact your doctor immediately.
- People should continue to report dead crows, ravens, magpies and jays to the IHA toll free line: 1-866-300-0520.
Background Information: Local Government Action
- The City has budgeted for mapping of the storm drain catchbasin system in anticipation of using larvicide in 2004.
- RDCO would supply the larvicide in quantities appropriate for City use.
- City staff would handle the application of the larvicide to the catchbasins under a blanket Health permit and the RDCO Pesticide Use permit.
- The cost of increased mosquito abatement for catch basins would be in the $25,000 - $30,000 range.
