West Nile Virus

Position

A coordinated government strategy is required to examine the different options to respond to this public health threat, based on risk assessments and appropriate control measures.  Three components of a successful WNV strategy are public education, surveillance and control of mosquitoes that trasmit the virus.

Resolutions

#A05-11, Stormwater Management Ponds

Resolutions

Recent Developments

#A05-11, Stormwater Management Ponds aIPHa urges the Government of Ontario to act immediately to update its Stormwater Management Planning and Design Manual and/or related materials such that the prevention of the breeding of West-Nile virus vector mosquitoes in wet stormwater management ponds is adequately addressed and continually updated as required

May 9 2008 The Ministry of the Environment has released Best Practices for Reducing the Risk of West Nile Virus in Stormwater Management Ponds manual, which is now available on the Ministry of the Environment Web site. http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/cons/6665e.pdf  December 12, 2007 alPHa has written a follow-up letter to the new Minister of the Environment asking for further updates on the status of this issue. Please click here to read. July 4, 2007 alPHa has received a reply from the MOE, which outlines the activities of the Stormwater Management Pond and West Nile Virue Working group, including reference to a forthcoming report on Best Practices for Reducing the Risk of West Nile Virus in Stormwater Management Ponds. Please click here to read. May 10, 2007 alPHa has written a letter to the Minister of the Environment to inquire on the status of the review described below, and if any, updates to the Design Manual. Please click here to read the letter. February 22, 2006 alPHa has received a response from the Minister of the Environment indicating that a collaborative effort (that includes local health units) is underway to review best practices for the design of stormwater management ponds, and once completed it will be integrated into the Ministry's Design Manual. Please click here to read the response. December 15, 2005 alPHa sent a letter to the Minister of the Environment introducing Resolutions A05-6 and A05-11. Please click here to read the letter