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Metro Vancouver's Role
About Mosquitoes and West Nile
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Metro Vancouver's Role 

Metro Vancouver is taking a proactive approach to the eventual arrival of West Nile virus (WNV). The Province of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health Authorities, member municipalities and Metro Vancouver have developed policies that establish Metro Vancouver's responsibilities with respect to WNV.

The responsibilities outlined in these PDF icon  policies include:
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Educating residents and visitors about WNV by providing:
  • Metro Vancouver public programs that include information about WNV and the role of healthy wetlands in controlling mosquitoes and in maintaining regional biodiversity over the long term
  • Accurate WNV information on Metro Vancouver's website with links to further information on sites provided by other agencies
  • Information handouts and signs in Metro Vancouver-owned lands and facilities, and other appropriate public venues
Controlling mosquitoes on Metro Vancouver-owned lands by:
  • Mapping and classifying mosquito breeding areas
  • Evaluating breeding habitat and identifying "mosquito hot spots" as well as areas that are sensitive to management measures such as regional parks and watershed lands
  • Preparing for and, when required, implementing larval control at designated "mosquito hot spots."
  • Implementing source reduction of mosquito breeding grounds by physical or mechanical means as appropriate. It is important to note that Metro Vancouver does not undertake mosquito control for nuisance purposes, only with the intent of managing identified health risks
Co-ordinating data collection and public communication by:
  • Supporting the regional health authorities' surveillance activities for detecting WNV in species connected with the infection cycle of the virus, particularly crows and jays
  • Assisting with the delivery of information, surveillance results and treatment messages to the public
  • Co-ordinating the regional roll-up of mapping information prepared by member municipalities and adjacent jurisdictions
  • Facilitating the delivery of regional "mosquito schools" to ensure regional and municipal staff have a basic level of understanding about the virus
Managing breeding grounds on Metro Vancouver lands:

Resources

Actions in your city:
 Member Municipalities

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

Fast Facts

  • Municipalities in Metro Vancouver are working together with Health Authorities to provide a unified and consistent approach to preventing West Nile virus.