City of Hamilton Introduces Adult Mosquito Control Registry
The City of Hamilton, Public Health Services is committed to reducing the risk of West Nile virus within our community by using strategies with the least negative impact on human health, nature and the environment. Public Health Services utilizes a number of strategies to control West Nile virus including:
- public education;
- reducing mosquito breeding sites and standing water on City lands;
- surveillance for the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes; and
- monitoring for the presence of West Nile virus in humans.
The strategies also include a contingency plan for possible application of the insecticide malathion to control the adult mosquito population. New this year is the addition of a registry for those individuals who wish to request personal advanced notification of plans to apply malathion in their area.
The contingency plan outlines the possibility of ultra low volume application of the insecticide malathion to control the adult mosquito population. This action is termed "adulticiding" and will be considered by local health units if, based on a local risk assessment, the Medical Officer of Health determines that it is required to decrease the risk of West Nile virus to human health. Spraying to control adult mosquitoes has not yet been required in Hamilton or any other municipality in Ontario for West Nile virus control. However it has been used in other jurisdictions in Canada for nuisance mosquito control and in the United States for West Nile virus control. Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency affirms that, when used properly, the ultra-low application of malathion is a safe practice for the control of adult mosquitoes that pose a nuisance or public health hazard.
Should it be determined that adulticiding is necessary to control West Nile virus, Public Health Services is committed to notifying residents in the affected areas a minimum of 48 hours prior to the application. Notification will be given by at least two of three means, namely print media (newspapers), broadcast media (television and radio), or door-to-door notices.
It is recognized, however, that some individuals may desire additional, personal notification of adulticiding plans because of health-related concerns. As such, Public Health Services extends an invitation for individuals to register for the Adult Mosquito Control Registry. Any member of the public can be added to the registry. An automated system will be used to electronically contact each person registered by their chosen method of telephone, email, fax, or a combination of these to notify them of any adulticiding plans in their area.
Public Health Services offers the registry as a courtesy to residents. Not all provincial health units have chosen this enhanced level of public notification.
To register for the Adult Mosquito Control Registry, please follow the link below or contact the West Nile virus program, Public Health Services at (905) 546-3575 or Fax (905) 546-2787.
Sign up for the registry via email
Personal information collected for the purpose of administering the Adult Mosquito Control Registry is being collected under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7. If you have any questions regarding this collection, please contact: West Nile Virus Program, Public Health Services, City of Hamilton, 1 Hughson Street North, Hamilton, Ontario, L8R 3L5, telephone: 905-546-2424-, ext. 3576.
Contact Information
Telephone: 905-546-3575
Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca
Last updated: August 10, 2011