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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWest Nile Virus : CITY OF PALM DESERT 161,1t 1 , a DEVELOPMENT SERVICES i 1AVM 0ry :: . ? STAFF REPORT • E0.nEN..• REQUEST: Informational Item West Nile Virus SUBMITTED BY: Gary Rosenblum, Risk Manager DATE: October 23, 2003 CONTENTS: West Nile Virus Task Force The appearance of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the Coachella Valley has generated a coordinated response between County and local officials to maximize public health protection. This response is composed of several interconnected activities, some of which are already being conducted by the City of Palm Desert. This report summarizes these activities. Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (CVMVCD): CVMVCD is in an active partnership with the Riverside County WNV Task Force. The State and County agencies that are part of the WNV Task Force are listed on Attachment 1. The CVMVCD operates an early warning program that includes trapping and testing of mosquitoes in numerous locations every 14 days to determine the mix of mosquito species present, and the presence of disease-causing viruses. For the WNV, several small flocks of "sentinel chickens" are maintained in areas of potential infection, and also tested every 14 days for presence of WNV. CVMVCD also has an active field mosquito abatement program that consists of identifying mosquito breeding locations and treating them or eliminating them. This is an ongoing effort. The City of Palm Desert is currently making a significant contribution to this effort in its jurisdiction as detailed below. This process of locating breeding locations is tied to a computerized mapping system to provide digital coordination and scheduling of treatment programs. Riverside County Department of Public Health (RCDPH): In the event that the WNV is infecting humans in the Coachella Valley from a local virus reservoir (as opposed to human WNV infections occurring from exposure to virus sources outside the Coachella Valley), the RCDPH has established several levels of triggers for different protocols. The triggers are based on frequency and severity of the Staff Report West Nile Virus October 23, 2003 Page 2 of 3 human WNV infections. In a worst-case trigger, the RCDPH in conjunction with the WNV Task Force will initiate "aerial fogging" of insecticide in specific "hot spot" locations where the presence of mosquitoes is concentrated and severe human WNV infections have occurred. The "aerial" element of this description does not describe the device used to perform the fogging, because the protocol is to use ground vehicles such as jeeps. "Aerial" in this protocol describes the pesticide fogging process, which sprays a mist of pesticide into the air, in contrast to spraying pesticide into the ground or breeding pools on the ground. The Risk Manager has reviewed the toxicology and related information for the pesticides to be used in this "aerial fogging" (pyrethrin, an extract of the chrysanthemum plant in a petroleum based carrier), and agrees with the CVMVCD assessment that the pesticides in this protocol are low in toxicity for the conditions of expected use. This means that for public safety, basic warnings for simple protections should manage the risks. It will still be important to actively address the public's concerns through information awareness programs. The CVMVCD is prepared to assist all Coachella Valley cities this public awareness process. City of Palm Desert The City is currently providing active ongoing assistance to the CVMVDC by reducing mosquito-breeding water in various locations around the City. Dry wells providing roadway water drainage collect irrigation overspray and other runoff, which sometimes become a mosquito breeding location. The current dry well design is based on protecting ground water from contamination, and keeping silt and debris from clogging the drainage system. The City owns and operates a vacuum pump trailer that is used daily in various locations around the City to remove the water silt and debris that accumulates in the dry wells. Because this activity also interrupts the mosquito breeding cycle, CVMVCD has on occasion contacted Public Works to target particular dry wells when necessary. The City performs regular maintenance of the San Pascual storm channel. The water in the channel flows very slowly because the grade is very gradual. Plants grow quickly, which further disrupts the water flow and provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The City's maintenance work interrupts the mosquito breeding in this location as well. The City provides secondary surveillance for potential mosquito breeding grounds through existing code enforcement activities. (Mosquitoes are not the primary focus of code inspections.) Code enforcement is currently active in identifying and citing yard debris violations. When code enforcement actions result in cleaned up yards, the secondary benefit is to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites. Code will report potential breeding sites such as green algae infested pools to CVMVCD so that they G:\DevServices\Gary Rosenblum\Word Files\Memos\WestNileCouncil.doc Staff Report West Nile Virus October 23, 2003 Page 3 of 3 can be treated rapidly. CVMVCD will respond to all reports of stagnant water that Code and other City inspectors may notice. In the event the WNV begins to create a significant public health impact and aerial fogging is triggered, the City is prepared to take several steps to mitigate public response to the announcement. The City is also prepared to provide information through local media outlets and City-generated media. The City has already provided detailed information on WNV to all employees twice in the past year and WNV posters are up in City lunchrooms. WNV prevention brochures published by CVMVCD are in stock and are already available to the public at the Civic Center brochure locations. In the event that pesticide fogging is to occur, the locations, times and duration of the fogging will be released to the media and the Cities many days ahead of time. According to the CVMVCD, it is likely that there would be over one week lead time from initial notification to the actual pesticide application. The City would have ample opportunity to provide additional information releases and warnings, and perform related public affairs activities before any pesticide applications were to occur in the City. Submitted By: Depart ent Hea Gary Rosenblum Homer Croy Risk Manager ACM for Develo rr nt Services Approval: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Carlos L. Ort46.(/,/,› APPROVED DENIED City Manager RECEIVED E OTHER MEETIT0C, ATE - 3 AYES: NOES: `eye ABSENT: ABSTAIN: e. VERIFIED BY: Original on File with Cit Cl -* Item S-3 removed for separate discussi n'S tOhenice received & filed, noting that a special periodic inspections should be conducted on the San Pascual Wash due to the standing water issue there. 4-0 (Ferguson ABSENT) G:\DevServices\Gary Rosenblum\Word Files\Memos\WestNileCouncil.doc I' ATTACHMENT A West Nile Virus Task Force • Riverside County Department of Public Health • Riverside County Fire Department • California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection • Riverside County's Emergency Services Division • Riverside County Department of Environmental Health • California Department of Health Services • Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner • Riverside County Sheriff's Office • California Highway Patrol • Riverside County Animal Control Services • University of California at Riverside • California Department of Food and Agriculture Animal Health Program • State Office of Emergency Services