Delta's mosquito control program will continue despite the West Nile virus being a no-show in the region.
For many years, even before the mosquito-borne virus appeared on this continent, the municipality has operated an extensive program intended to reduce the annoyance caused to residents by mosquitoes.
Mike Brotherston, Delta's manager of climate action and environment, said that wouldn't change because predictions of West Nile infecting Lower Mainland residents have fizzled.
"Generally, every year, it seems to move from the east and the south up towards the northwest, and as the summer progresses, but it hadn't ever established itself in this area for whatever reason," he said.
In addition to Delta's ongoing nuisance mosquito program, there was another program funded by the province, which ran from 2004 to 2011, in response to concerns by health agencies regarding the virus.
The Ministry of Health provided targeted funding to municipalities to undertake planning, monitoring and treatment efforts for mosquito species that are most likely to transmit West Nile between infected birds and people. Metro Vancouver then began a regional control and administration service, funded partly through the province and also through a municipal levy.
Because West Nile hasn't shown up as predicted, the Metro Vancouver service has been cancelled.
Fraser Health and other agencies, meantime, are scaling back their surveillance and monitoring programs.
A report this year to council notes Delta's longstanding nuisance mosquito program will not be affected.
The program involves treating known surface water mosquito development sites with a natural bacterial larvicide. The sites include salt marshes, ditches and ponds. Crews also check out sites if there are resident complaints.
Brotherston said residents must remember they also have a role in preventing mosquito populations by removing any standing water.
"We always ask residents to look around their yards and immediate vicinity. It's usually the little puddles that aren't part of larger ditch networks where there are healthier ecosystems.
The mosquito larva like isolated, warm bodies of water away from any predators.
So in our larger ditches you won't see that much," he explained.
Four years ago, the first confirmed indigenous human case of West Nile virus in B.C. was discovered in Kelowna, but the virus has yet to infect people in these parts.
Most people that are infected through mosquito bites don't experience any symptoms. Approximately 20 per cent will experience mild to severe flu-like symptoms, most cases lasting three to six days. Some are very ill for several weeks.
