PT06 Contaminants-Receptor Interactions: New Challenges
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Tuesday, 11 November 2003
(PT097) Risk Assessment of West Nile Virus Incidence and Control.
Durda, J.1, Preziosi, D.1, Tonjes, D.2, Dawydiak, W.3, Minei, V.3, Ninivaggi, D.4, 1 CPF Associates, Inc., Takoma Park, MD, USA2 Cashin Associates, P.C., Hauppauge, NY, USA3 Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Hauppauge, NY, USA4 Suffolk County Department of Public Works, Yaphank, NY, USA
ABSTRACT- The Suffolk County, New York, Department of Health Services and Department of Public Works are developing a comprehensive Vector Control and Wetlands Management Plan (VCWMP) to address long term mosquito management in the County. The VCWMP is intended to address health risks associated with disease transmission due to West Nile Virus (WNV) and other mosquito borne diseases, as well as nuisance impacts that curtail outdoor quality of life for County residents and visitors. Mosquito management techniques that are being considered for the program include direct mosquito controls (various biological and chemical larvicides and adulticides, traps, and predator augmentation) and source controls (wetlands and other habitat management). A risk assessment is being conducted to support the VCWMP development. The objective of the risk assessment is to quantify the risks of both adverse human health impacts and potential ecological effects associated with no active management (defined as the baseline condition) compared to those associated with other combinations of active management activities. The risk assessment presents a unique opportunity to concurrently assess the health and ecological impacts of three distinct types of stressors: (1) biological (i.e., mosquito-borne disease); (2) chemical (i.e., adulticides, larvicides, natural pesticides); and (3) physical (e.g., wetlands water management). This paper outlines our conceptual approach for assessing risks from these diverse stressors. We identify the stressor characteristics to be considered in our assessment,temporal and spatial scales of the assessment, habitat and receptor populations at risk, and approaches for characterizing stressor specific hazard and exposure. We also discuss the types of data to be compiled to support the assessment (including disease incidence data, mosquito surveillance data, and public health data from WNV-outbreak areas). Additionally, we explore common metrics for equating risks from disease, chemical toxicity and habitat management that can be used to support risk management and development of the VCWMP.
Key words: risk assessment, west nile virus, multiple stressors