What is the City of Ottawa doing about West Nile virus?
The City of Ottawa has implemented a control plan to reduce the risk of transmission of the West Nile virus to the human population. The City of Ottawa’s 2008 West Nile Virus Preparedness and Prevention Plan includes: Public education, particularly with respect to personal protective measures against mosquitoes and source reduction of mosquito breeding sites. Mosquito, birds of concern and human surveillance. Source reduction of mosquito breeding sites on City-owned property. 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. 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 adulticid
