Mosquito Management, Climate Change and Urban Design

Environmental Health Australia Public Health School, March 2014

Mosquito Management, Climate Change and Urban Design

Dr Cameron WebbDepartment of Medical Entomology

Pathology West – ICPMR Westmead, Westmead Hospital

Marie Bashir Institute of Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @mozziebites

Blog: http://cameronwebb.wordpress.com/

Most common in Australia (~5,000 cases/pa) Symptoms:

Not fatal but rash, fever, joint pain, polyarthritis

Complex ecology, in different regions: Seasonal & geographic variation Different vectors

Marsupial hosts? Bird hosts? Human hosts?

Ross River & Barmah Forest viruses

• Broad scale mosquito control in coastal wetlands funded by local government

• Coastal wetlands focus of conservation and rehabilitation projects

• Concern regarding ecological impacts of broad scale mosquito control

• Rapidly expanding urban development in coastal regions of eastern Australia

• Complex and site-specific mosquito fauna, reservoir hosts and disease risks

Mosquito Management in AustraliaMosquito Management in Australia

Water Sensitive Urban Design Integration of water management into

urban planning and design Urban developments contain a suite

of water conservation strategies Constructed wetlands Bioretention swales Raingradens Rainwater tanks

Mosquito risk variable Design, construction, installation and

maintenance issues can increase the mosquito risk

Constructed WetlandsConstructed Wetlands Stormwater retention & treatment Wildlife conservation Change local mosquito diversity Change in local environmental

drivers of mosquito populations Change in reservoir hosts Wetland design & maintenance

Water quality, depth & flow rates Edge structure and slope Vegetation zones Predators

Well funded management plan

Wetlands support diverse habitats

Provides assistance to local governments on assessing mosquito risk associated with wetlands

Provides background on mosquito and mosquito-borne disease risk

A framework for decision making

Highlight wetland projects that may require more detailed assessments and the engagement of consultants to develop a site-specific plan

Guidelines for constructed wetlands

Many aspects to estuarine and freshwater wetland management

Sydney Olympic Park Authority’s Wetland Education & Training Program initiative

Over 400 pages of practical guidance on wetland management

Detailed chapters on mosquito management in constructed and rehabilitated wetlands

Free workbook for urban wetlands

http://www.sopa.nsw.gov.au/resource_centre/wet_ebook_workbook_for_managing_urban_wetlands_in_australia/

Wetland Rehabilitation Accompany development More mosquitoes?

Restore tidal flooding (coastal) Environmental flows (inland)

Long-term & short-term issues Change in local environmental

drivers of mosquito populations Change in reservoir hosts Mosquito management? Are these “natural” habitats?

Climate change and future risks

“Climate change” or “human response” No immediate risk from “tropical” pathogens Future risks of introduced vectors/viruses Extension of “mozzie season” Higher risk of RRV/BFV into Autumn Greater activity in nearby regions? “Human response” & future risk?

Domestic water hoarding Wetland construction/rehabilitation Urban development/WSUD

Regional Approaches to Mosquito RiskRegional Approaches to Mosquito Risk

Previous advice from health authorities not reflective of new products and/or formulations

Specific advice on “actives” as well as formulations

Information on repellent safety

Freely available via download from the NSW Arbovirus website, link below or email Cameron

“Beating the Bite”: Guidelines for repellents

http://cameronwebb.wordpress.com/mosquito-repellent-guidelines/

SummarySummary Mosquito-borne disease risk will be

influenced by local and regional environmental, climatic and biological factors

“Mosquito Aware Urban Design” strategies are needed Constructed & Rehabilitated wetlands Urban planning (water & residents) Education and engagement

Joint the conversation on Twitter @mozziebites

Learn more about my research:

http://cameronwebb.wordpress.com

Thank you