West Nile Virus Mosquito Management

West Nile Virus (WNV) is an infection of primarily birds, spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes pick up the virus by biting an infected bird, and the virus is then transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It was detected in BC and Metro Vancouver in 2009 for the first time.

Metro Vancouver is continuing to take steps to minimize the risk to residents, including working with the Province, Health Authorities, and municipalities to identify, monitor and treat significant mosquito areas using ecologically sensitive larvicides. The best protection from West Nile Virus is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, by removing standing water and by using personal protection.

On lands that it owns, Metro Vancouver controls populations of mosquitoes that may carry the virus. These lands include wastewater treatment plants, waste transfer stations, regional parks and greenways, housing facilities and Electoral Area A public lands.

Symptoms, how to report dead crows or jays, treatment, prevention

Resources

Regional WNV Policy - Catch Basins

Regional WNV Policy - Surface Waters

Actions in your city:
Member Municipalities

Actions on private lands:
Fraser Health Authority
or
Vancouver Coastal
Health Authority

Fast Facts

Scientists predict that B.C. may soon see its first case of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness.
In 2007, 19 residents of BC contracted West Nile virus. All of these people contracted it while traveling outside of BC, mostly to the prairie Provinces.