PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION

DATE: April 13, 2015 REPORT NO. PW2015-029 TO: Chair and Members Committee of the Whole – Operations & Administration FROM: Russ Loukes, P.Eng., PTOE Acting General Manager, Public Works Commission.

1.0 TYPE OF REPORT CONSENT ITEM [ ] ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION [ X ] 2.0 TOPIC Request for Letter of Permission to conduct larviciding of catchbasins and other areas

of standing water as part of the Brant County Health Unit’s West Nile Virus Surveillance and Prevention Program

[Financial Impact - $16,412 from Business Unit 136151] (PW2015-029)

3.0 RECOMMENDATION

THAT a Letter of Permission BE PROVIDED from the City Clerk, on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Brantford, to the Brant County Health Unit indicating Municipal Council’s support of the actions to be undertaken to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus, by conducting larviciding of catchbasins and any other areas of standing water, as necessary, in order to reduce local mosquito populations as part of the Brant County Health Unit’s West Nile Virus Surveillance and Prevention Program.

4.0 PURPOSE

To obtain a letter of permission from the City of Brantford to conduct larviciding of catchbasins and any other areas of standing water as necessary, in order to reduce local mosquito populations as part of the Brant County Health Unit's West Nile Virus Surveillance and Prevention Program.

5.0 BACKGROUND

A letter dated February 23, 2015 (copy attached) was received from the Manager, Environmental Health & Emergency Preparedness, Brant County Health Unit, requesting a Letter of Permission from the City, which is required by the Ministry of the Environment in order to issue a permit to the Health Unit's Licenced Pesticide applicator. Once the permit has been received, the Health Unit will begin larviciding in late June / early July.

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 2

6.0 CORPORATE POLICY CONTEXT

Goal #2 of the Strategic Plan “High Quality of Life and Caring for All Citizens” includes the following Long Term Desired Outcome: “Brantford will be recognized as a safe, healthy community – one that promotes the well-being of its citizens, and supports access of all citizens to a full range of health and community services.”

Conducting a larviciding program to combat West Nile Virus will enhance community health and wellness and is consistent with this long term desired outcome of the Strategic Plan.

7.0 INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES

Not applicable. 8.0 ANALYSIS

See attached Brant County Board of Health 2014 Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program Summary Report – October 3, 2014.

9.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The West Nile Virus (WNv) program operated by the Brant County Health Unit has a total budget of $92,074 for the 2015 operational year. The City’s share of the cost of the program is funded from the City’s annual funding allotment to the Heath Unit, provided through the Public Health, Safety and Social Services Budget. There is no other impact to the City’s budget.

Distribution of Program Cost

PROVINCAL (75%)

$ 69,056

MUNICIPAL (25%)

$ 23,018

City of Brantford (71.30%)

$ 16,412

County of Brant (28.70%)

$ 6,606

TOTAL

$ 92,074

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care will cost-share the West Nile Virus operational budget 75%/25% with the municipalities of the City of Brantford and the County of Brant.

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 3

10.0 CONCLUSION

In order to protect the citizens of the City of Brantford from West Nile Virus, larviciding of catchbasins and other areas of standing water must be undertaken. A letter from the City is required by the Ministry of the Environment in order to issue a permit to the Health Unit's Licensed Pesticide applicator, and it is recommended that such a letter be provided in order that larviciding operations can commence in late June / early July. A sample copy of the letter to be forwarded to the Ministry is attached for information.

_________________________________ ______________________________ Selvi Kongara, P.Eng., Russ Loukes, P.Eng., PTOE Director of Environmental Services Acting General Manager, Public Works Commission Attachment: o Letter dated February 23, 2015 from Jeffrey Kowal, Manager, Environmental Health &

Emergency Preparedness, Brant County Health Unit with regard to Larviciding of Catchbasins – West Nile Virus.

o Draft letter to be provided by City Clerk. o Brant County Health Unit - 2014 Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program Summary

Report. o WNV Questions and Answers o Fact Sheet – West Nile Virus and West Nile Encephalitis o Brant County Health Unit West Nile Virus Webpage o Brant County Health Unit hydro bill Inserts to City of Brantford & County of Brant

Residents o Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care pamphlets

In adopting this report, is a by-law or agreement required? If so, it should be referenced in the recommendation section. By-law required [ ] yes [ X ] no Agreement(s) or other documents to be signed by Mayor and/or City Clerk [ X ] yes [ ] no Is the necessary by-law or agreement being sent concurrently to Council? [ ] yes [ X ] no

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 4

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 5

DRAFT LETTER FROM CITY CLERK April, 2015 Dr. Malcolm Lock, Medical Officer of Health, Brant County Health Unit, 194 Terrace Hill Street, BRANTFORD, ON N3R 1G7 Dear Dr. Lock: The City of Brantford supports local action by the Brant County Health Unit to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus. As a result, the City of Brantford authorizes any permit application for West Nile Virus control submitted to the Ministry of the Environment from an appropriately licenced exterminator, to apply a larvicide into catchbasins or surface water located within the City of Brantford. Yours truly, LW/js Lori Wolfe, City Clerk.

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 6

BRANT COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH

REPORT #: 7.2 DATE: October 3, 2014

FROM: Jeff Kowal, Manager, Environmental Health and Infectious Diseases

RE: Vector-borne Disease Prevention Program Report (formerly West Nile Virus)

The Vector-borne Disease Prevention program remained much the same as previous years, consisting

of adult mosquito trapping and larviciding catch basins to reduce the local mosquito populations in

built-up areas.

Comparison of 2008 to 2014 Surveillance Results for West Nile Virus (WNv)

Positive

Humans -

Brant

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*

0

0

0

4

2

0

0

Ontario

4

2

1

79

270

50

8

Canada

33

8

5

71

422

104

15

Positive

Birds -

Brant

2

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Ontario

144

6

16

34

34

34

6

Canada

n/a

7

22

40

65

82

14

Positive

Mosquito

Pools –

Brant

1

0

0

2

4

0

0

Ontario

62

14

57

278

464

198

52

*As of September 13, 2014

Activities

During the 2014 season, the core Vector-borne disease prevention activities included:

Community outreach/education: WNv pamphlets were mailed to all customers of Brantford and

Brant County Power. Materials were also distributed to veterinary clinics, and pet shop retailers.

WNv Telephone Hotline: A dedicated extension with 24-hour voicemail service was established for

members of the public to call with questions and report standing water complaints. The WNv

Technician was responsible for monitoring this line, and responding to calls within one business day.

Health Unit staff responded to 27 complaints during the 2014 season.

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 7

Standing Water Complaints: Public Health Inspectors investigated 22 standing water complaints

during the spring and summer months. These activities resulted in 18 Orders being issued under the

City of Brantford Standing Water By-Law.

2014 STANDING WATER COMPLAINTS

PRIVATE PROPERTY

Swimming Pools 16

Ponds 4

Parking Lot 1

Tire 1

TOTAL STANDING

WATER COMPLAINTS 22

2014 STANDING WATER COMPLAINTS BY AREA

CITY OF BRANTFORD 18

COUNTY OF BRANT 4

Total 22

Surveillance

Mosquitoes were trapped weekly from May to August at 10 sites. These traps were located in high

density urban areas in the towns of St. George, Scotland, Paris, Oakland, Burford, and the City of

Brantford. The adult mosquitoes collected were identified for species and tested for the presence of

WNv.

Fourteen weeks of trapping identified zero positive pools of mosquitoes in the City of Brantford

and County of Brant.

Larval testing: From May to August, 38 sites were tested weekly for mosquito larva throughout

the city and county. These sites included 19 storm-water management ponds, and 3 ditches in the

City of Brantford. Also included in Brant County were 12 storm-water management ponds, 3

sewage lagoons in Cainsville, and 1 ditch area. As a result the Shaver Road sewage lagoons

located in Cainsville received one application of Vectolex (Bacillus sphaericus) on July 15th

.

Vectolex is formulated to have a long lasting presence.

Human surveillance. Passive surveillance identified no human cases of WNv in the City of

Brantford and County of Brant.

Larviciding

A Request for Proposal was issued March 2014 for larvicide applicators to apply two treatments of

larvicide (methoprene) to all catch basins on municipally-owned property throughout Brantford and

Brant County. The first round of larvicide application to catch basins occurred between July 2nd

and

July 5th

. And the second round of treatment was completed between August 5th

and August 7th

,

involving approximately 14, 921 units.

Summary

West Nile Virus program activities for the 2014 season were similar to those conducted during 2013.

The incidents of confirmed WNv cases in 2014 for Ontario and Canada have significantly decreased

compared to the 2013 season. However, preventive measures are still a necessary tool to prevent the

risk of WNv. Given any unforeseen changes to Ministry of Health directives in the coming year, we

plan to continue our existing public education and surveillance activities during 2015. Decisions

regarding continued larviciding of municipal catch basins will be made in March 2015 when

programming directives will be received from the Ministry of Health.

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 8

WNv Questions

1.) What is the effect of larvicide on humans?

The management of pesticides is a joint responsibility of the Federal and Provincial Governments.

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for assessing pesticides

to determine if they are acceptable in terms of safety, merit and value.

Pesticides approved by PMRA are granted registration which allows them to be sold and used in

Canada.

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) regulates the sale, use, transportation, storage and disposal of

federally registered pesticides in Ontario under the Pesticides Act and Regulation 914.

Approved by the Ministry of Environment, methoprene is an insect growth regulator with a non-toxic

mode of action. It controls mosquitoes by preventing their development beyond the larval life stage.

Specifically for the use of catch basins, ditches, storm drains, pools, and sewage lagoons in the

Province of Ontario.

(Ministry of Environment, Permit Applicant Guide for Municipalities and Health Units:

Controlling Mosquito Larvae for Prevention and/or Control of West Nile Virus May, 2011)

https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/858/6-4-6-permit-applicant-guide-for-

municipalities.pdf

Studies indicate that methoprene is of low toxicity and poses little risk to people when used according

to label instructions. Methoprene was not shown to have any significant toxicological effects in the

standard battery of toxicity studies used to assess human health effects. The pesticide has very low

acute oral and inhalation toxicity potential and is not an eye or skin irritant. Methoprene is also of low

acute skin toxicity and is not a human skin sensitizer.

Laboratory tests of methoprene have shown to be non-toxic to mallard ducks and only slightly toxic to

fish. Although it has been observed to be very highly toxic to freshwater invertebrates, results from

field studies involving methoprene have shown that it has no lasting adverse effects on populations of

invertebrates or other non-target aquatic organisms when used according to label instructions for

mosquito control. Methoprene is not persistent in the environment. It degrades rapidly in water, being

susceptible to transformation by sunlight and microorganisms.

Methoprene, when used in the approved manner, is not expected to pose unreasonable risks to wildlife,

people, or the environment.

(Health Canada, Fact Sheet of the Use of Methoprene in Mosquito Control Programs. January,

2010.) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/methoprene/index-eng.php

2). Is there a cost to private residents with catch basins on private property?

Owners of private land (e.g., shopping centers, school boards, apartment complexes, residential, farm,

commercial and industrial properties, etc.) or managers of recreational lands (e.g., conservation

authorities, zoos, amusement parks, etc.) or administrators of Crown Land (e.g., Management Board

Secretariat, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Realty Corporation,

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 9

Hydro One, federal agencies, etc.) may conduct a larviciding program in water bodies located on land

they own or manage if authorized by the local MOH.

Catch basins located on private land normally drain into a public storm drain system and therefore

written authorization must be obtained from the proper jurisdiction (e.g., town, city or municipality)

and accompany any permit application in order to use a larvicide in a catch basin. It is the

responsibility of the property owner to hire a private contractor or service provider like a pest control

or exterminating company to conduct larviciding practices.

Application of larvicide to water bodies on private land can occur only if the water body cannot be

drained or modified (i.e., cost prohibitive or water body is a sensitive area). The licensed exterminator

must provide in writing a copy of all permits to the Ministry of Environment for approval. The

information submitted must identify clearly the addresses of the private lands and the type of water

bodies intended to be treated with a mosquito larvicide before the larviciding program begins.

A permit application form may be submitted by:

• a licensed exterminator contracted by a private land owner

• a private land owner who holds an appropriate exterminator’s license

• a full-time employee, who holds an appropriate exterminator’s license, of a private land

owner.

Ditches in front of private land abutting public roads are considered easements and are the property of

the town, city or municipality and written authorization to apply a larvicide into these surface water

bodies must also accompany a permit application form.

Provided below is information for a complete copy of the application guide:

Permit Applicant Guide for Private Land: Controlling Mosquito Larvae for Prevention

and/or Control of West Nile Virus. Ontario Ministry of Environment: May, 2011

https://dr6j45jk9xcmk.cloudfront.net/documents/860/6-4-7-permit-applicant-guide-for-private-land-

en.pdf

3). What pamphlets have information about bird baths?

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care send pamphlets that we administer to the public

and they state:

“Get rid of standing water around your home on a regular basis-once a week is a good

standard.”

“Change water in troughs and birdbaths frequently.”

“Change water in bird baths every other day.”

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 10

West Nile Virus and West Nile Encephalitis

What is West Nile Virus (WNV)?

WNV is a mosquito-borne virus . "Encephalitis"

means a swelling of the brain, and can be caused

by many different viruses and bacteria . West

Nile Encephalitis is a type of encephalitis

caused by West Nile Virus (WNV).

What are the signs and symptoms?

Only 1 in 150 people infected will experience symptoms. Only 20% of those infected will become seriously ill. Of these, 15% may be at risk for encephalitis.

Symptoms are flu-like and may include fever, headache, body aches, and/or a skin rash.

The elderly and people with weak immune systems are more likely to have severe cases.

The period from contacting the virus to having symptoms is usually 3-15 days.

See a doctor if you develop symptoms such as high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe headache, or stiff neck.

How is it spread?

West Nile Virus is spread to people and animals through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The mosquitoes get the virus by feeding on infected birds. The virus is NOT transmitted from person to person contact.

What can people do?

There is no specific treatment for this virus. Antibiotics are not effective. There are no vaccines approved for use against this virus.

To reduce your risk of getting WNV:

When you are outdoors, use insect repellents containing DEET. Follow the directions. Do NOT use products with DEET on children under 2 years or pregnant women.

Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours. Light-colored clothing can help you see mosquitoes that land on you.

Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.

Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flowerpots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in birdbaths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out. Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they are not being used.

West Nile Virus and Encephalitis must be reported to the local Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Health Information Line

at the Brant County Health Unit 519-753-4937 extension 259

Report No. PW2015-029 Date: April 13, 2015 Page 11

West Nile Virus We monitor and control West Nile virus (WNV) in Brantford and Brant County by:

•Storm sewer catch basins pesticide treatments to kill mosquito larvae and reduce the number of mosquitoes •Weekly surveillance

WNV is mainly spread to people through an infected mosquito's bite. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on the blood of birds that carry the virus. The virus does not spread from person to person. More information about WNV (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care) Standing Water Public health inspectors enforce the municipal City of Brantford Standing Water Bylaw. Report standing water complaints to our WNV hotline at 519-753-4937 ext. 444. Reporting Dead Birds Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre: call 1-866-673-4781 Links and Resources

Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre City of Brantford Standing Water Bylaw Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Public Health Agency of Canada West Nile Virus Monitor U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention West Nile Virus Fact Sheets (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care) multiple languages West Nile Virus (Health Canada)

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