Case Study
Risk Assessment/Vectors Management Plan for West Nile Virus: New York
By Judi L. Durda, Senior Principal
OUR CHALLENGE
Over a span of 7 years, West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases resulted in 4 deaths and 25 severe neurological illnesses in Suffolk County, New York. The emerging risk to public health from vector-borne diseases prompted the county to reevaluate its vector management plan. Suffolk County retained Integral to assist in developing a comprehensive plan and evaluating ecosystem responses to various management alternatives.
OUR APPROACH
We characterized ecosystems potentially at risk; analyzed the frequency, timing, fate, and effects of adulticide and larvicide applications; and evaluated exposure and risk using ecological community modeling and an innovative four-level analysis of human health effects that included Monte Carlo simulations. We compared pesticide risk predictions with health outcomes of the disease absent vector control.
OUR IMPACT
Our work supported a progressive and first-of-its-kind, early-action integrated marsh management program on Long Island. Our comprehensive risk assessment was hailed by the American Mosquito Management Association as groundbreaking and a model for comprehensive management plan development.
Published
May 23, 2019
Key Contact
Judi Durda is a toxicologist and ecologist with more than 30 years of experience in the health and environmental science... Full bio