Framework for in Victoria

Framework for Mosquito Management in Victoria Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, July 2004 © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004 This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne. Printed by Classic Colour Copying, 540 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne ISBN 1 74106 913 0 For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Victoria. Department of Sustainability and Environment. Framework for Mosquito Management in Victoria Bibliography Printed on recycled paper The development of this framework was funded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Department of Human Services and Parks Victoria. Framework for Mosquito Management in Victoria July 2004 Acknowledgments A steering committee guided the development of this Framework. The steering committee representatives were: Department of Sustainability and Environment: Janet Holmes (Convenor) Department of Human Services: Rodney Moran Parks Victoria: Wayne Hill City of Greater Geelong: Steve Sodomaco East Gippsland Shire Council: John Roche Moira Shire Council: Max Minard The Framework was compiled by Horrie Poussard, Learning & Action Pty Ltd. Acronymns AAV Aboriginal Affairs Victoria ATV All terrain vehicle BFV Barmah Forest Virus CAMBA China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement DHS Department of Human Services DPI Department of Primary Industries DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment ECC former Victorian Environment Conservation Council EPBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Act) FFG Flora and Fauna Guarantee (Act) GIS Geospatial information system MVE Murray Valley Encephalitis IGAE Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment IMM Integrated mosquito management IPM Integrated pest management JAMBA Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement KUN Kunjin Virus LCC former Victorian Land Conservation Council MRG Mosquito reference group PV Parks Victoria RRV Ross River Virus VIAS Victorian Institute of Animal Science VATF Victorian Arbovirus Task Force WHO World Health Organisation CONTENTS 1. Introduction...............................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose.................................................................................................................1 1.2 Current situation................................................................................................1 2. Legislative framework and agreements ............................................................3 2.1 Community health .............................................................................................3 2.2 Environmental protection.................................................................................4 2.3 Cultural protection ............................................................................................6 3. Responsibilities of State Government, councils and the community .......7 4. Risk assessment framework.................................................................................9 4.1 Risk to health and well-being. .........................................................................9 4.2 Community perceptions of risk ....................................................................10 4.3 Risk to environment ........................................................................................10 5. Framework for mosquito management .......................................................... 13 5.1 Principles of mosquito management ...........................................................13 5.2 Promoting integrated mosquito management ...........................................13 5.3 Decision making process................................................................................14 5.4 Decisions at municipal level ..........................................................................14 5.5 Decisions at site level ......................................................................................15 5.6 Monitoring and prediction .............................................................................18 5.7 Emergency action .............................................................................................19 5.8 Coordination across boundaries...................................................................19 5.9 Resolving conflict and building cooperation. ............................................20 6. Developing a local management program ..................................................... 20 6.1 Tools for councils.............................................................................................20 6.2 Training for best practice in IMM programs ..............................................21 7. Actions to strengthen mosquito management ............................................. 21 7.1 Policy development..........................................................................................21 7.2 Research needs .................................................................................................21 7.3 Planning provisions and guidance................................................................22 7.4 Refocus existing DHS program......................................................................22 Appendix 1 Postal survey of local government............................................. 25 Appendix 2 People and organisations consulted........................................... 26 Appendix 3 Characteristics of mosquitoes in Victoria .............................. 29 Appendix 4. DHS mosquito control program................................................... 31 Appendix 5. Environmental implications of treatments.............................. 32 Appendix 6. Template for decision-making ..................................................... 35 1. Introduction 1.1 Purpose Effective mosquito management requires an integrated approach. Such an approach incorporates a statutory framework, policies, guidelines, practices and consultative mechanisms. The approach facilitates best practice, respects and balances competing concerns and interests and is acceptable to key stakeholders. The four major stakeholders in mosquito management in Victoria are the Department of Human Services (DHS), local government, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria (PV). These stakeholders have different interests and responsibilities. This framework provides strategic and coordinated guidance for the development of future mosquito management programs throughout the State. Victoria is committed to sustaining and improving community health, protecting the environment for future generations and promoting sustainable development1. The purpose of this agreed strategic framework is to assist councils and State government agencies to implement local mosquito management programs in an effective and environmentally appropriate manner, consistent with these commitments. The Framework has been developed following extensive consultation with government agencies, councils and environment and community organisations (Appendices 1 and 2). 1.2 Current situation More than 275 species of mosquitoes are found in Australia. Fortunately, only a few species bite humans and fewer still are vectors of human diseases. Arboviruses (arthropod borne viruses) are viruses transmitted by mosquitoes. In Victoria they can cause Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE), Ross River Virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest Virus (BFV) diseases. Other arbovirus diseases reported in Victoria (such as dengue fever) have been acquired interstate or overseas. Both RRV and BFV diseases are considered endemic throughout Victoria. The number of cases per year varies widely depending on seasonal and other conditions (Table 1). Almost 1300 cases were reported in 1993, but only 55 in 1995. RRV and BFV can be debilitating but not fatal. Major outbreaks of Murray Valley Encephalitis occurred in Victoria 1918, 1951, 1956 with the most recent reported cases in 1974. In that year, 58 cases were recorded, 13 of which were fatal. MVE and Kunjin (KUN) virus, a less virulent virus, are classed as flaviviruses. One case of Sindbis was reported in 1999. Table 1. Arbovirus notifications, Victoria. 1992-2002 Notified 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 diseases Ross River 152 1216 62 25 138 1061 113 263 316 357 38 Virus Barmah 216311741421715181959 Forest Virus Flavivirus 20 17 10 19 6 6 20 1 13 17 20 Unspecified 0 0 0 4 2 0 24 45 16 5 0 Sindbis virus00000001000 TOTAL 193 1296 83 55 187 1109 174 325 363 398 117 Kangaroos, wallabies and possums are the most likely natural hosts for RRV but little is known of the hosts of BFV. MVE hosts are humans, other mammals and birds. In Victoria, the localities at most risk of these diseases are rural areas along the Murray Valley, and lower Loddon, Campaspe and Goulburn Valleys in northern

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