What we had expected, the westward
spread of West Nile Virus (WNV), has occurred sooner than was predicted. During the past
year the Health Department has contributed to a statewide WNV surveillance program. We
have captured adult mosquitoes and submitted adult mosquitoes raised from larvae for
identification. We have submitted dead corvid birds for WNV analysis. We have provided
numerous press releases to the public regarding WNV and mosquito control.
We
have confirmed that a number of mosquito species which carry WNV are present in Island
County. There have been confirmed cases of WNV infected birds in neighboring counties.
There was one confirmed WNV infection in a
horse in Island County.
As
the WNV virus outbreak matures on the East Coast the toll of WNV increases. As of January
22 the CDC reports 3989 cases of laboratory positive human cases with 259 deaths. Most, if
not all, of the laboratory confirmed cases were from individuals hospitalized and
seriously ill with a suspected diagnosis of WNV infection. Please see the attached CDC
West Nile Virus Current Count by state. There are other impacts from WNV including those
on animals. Please find attached a discussion of those impacts published in the Washington
Post on December 28, 2002.
Late
last year the Washington State Department of Health released a Mosquito-borne Disease
Response Plan. We have attached the first 18 pages of the plan, which includes the
general discussion, but not the more than 100 pages of Appendices. The plan suggests the control of arboviral
diseases (including WNV) is accomplished most effectively through a comprehensive
integrated mosquito management approach. The
plan also contains a discussion of potential activities of Mosquito Control Districts.
The
Mosquito-borne
Disease Response Plan uses a phased response planning mechanism to minimize the health
impacts of mosquito-borne arboviruses on humans as well as animals. The guidelines provide
recommended responses for specific risk categories defined by seasonal and disease status
variables. In the case of Island County, and for that matter Northwest Washington, we will
be in risk category 3 this spring.
Please
note that recommended responses beginning as early in the plan as Risk Category 1B suggest
the use of larvicides on specific sources. Risk Category 2 recommends an increase in
larval control. Risk category 3 recommends that adult mosquito control be strongly
considered. All of these activities fall within the general category of Mosquito
Abatement. Such activities require not just funding but also the specific authority to
practice general mosquito abatement. |
 |
Attached is a memo from Deputy
Prosecuting Attorney Dave Jamieson advising the Board of County Commissioners in 1991 that
they do not have the authority to control mosquitoes. The memo suggests that
mosquito control districts do have that authority.
Mosquito
control requires significant planning time to assess the local situations, determine
appropriate actions at each locality and obtain the necessary permits to apply the
appropriate insecticides. Suzanne Sinclair, Island County Auditor, informs us that a
Mosquito Control District could be formed in Island County by a vote of its residents if
the Board of County Commissioners were to pass a resolution placing the issue on the
ballot as a special election. Please find an e-mail from the Auditor, dated 1-14-03,
attached. There would be a delay of at least
45 days after the adoption of a resolution before the issue could be put on the ballot on
one of the specified dates outlined in the Auditor’s e-mail.
If
a mosquito control district were to be approved by Island County voters, it would also
take time to generate funds for the district business.
As
you may know Island County currently has one Mosquito Control District which covers a
portion of Camano Island. Attached is an e-mail from Tom Baenen, Island County Assessor,
which outlines the funds collected to date by that District.
Given
the long lead time required for an election, the need for analysis, planning, and permit
application, the unknown lead time for fund collection, if a Mosquito Control District is
going to become active in 2003 the Board of County Commissioners will have to take action
soon.
Based
on the predicted risk category for this spring, the Washington State Mosquito-borne Disease
Response Plan recommendations, and the inability of Island County government to
perform general mosquito abatement, establishment of an Island County Mosquito Control
District is absolutely necessary if the issue is to be effectively addressed. Individuals cannot/will not accomplish the
necessary abatement tasks by themselves. The Island County Health Department strongly
recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt a resolution to establish a county
wide Mosquito Control District providing Island County voters an opportunity to consider
the measure as soon as is practical. |
