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RE Need for data analysis by CDC
Date:
Thu, 14 Nov 2002
Posted by:
Dominick Ninivaggi (Dominick.Ninivaggi@co.suffolk.ny.us)
The fact that we had experience with and knowledge of our mosquito fauna in 1999 allowed Suffolk County to be much more targeted in its response to WNV than other downstate communities. The situation in NJ, where they have well developed programs, was similar. The response to WNV has evolved considerably since then, especially in NYC, but the data to decide where and where not to treat was not there in 1999. The situation is getting better, but we still have a lot to learn. The situation in the midwest, with hundreds of cases in relatively small areas, shows that WNV can get out of hand rather quickly under certain conditions. We certainly hope to avoid the need to treat large areas with adulticides, as happened in 1999, but we will not allow Suffolk County to end up with hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths (as happened in parts of the midwest) without at least trying to intervene.
The "false alarms" regarding adulticiding that occurred in 1999 were largely a result of well-intentioned efforts to provide 48 hours or more of public notice. The reality is, it's hard to know even 24 hours in advance whether or not weather will be suitable for ULV. It's better to provide 24 hour notice, which is more reliable.
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