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You are here: Home » Community » Environment » West Nile Virus Action Plan

Airport Implements West Nile Virus Action Plan

2008 West Nile Virus (WNV) Action Plan (36 KB, PDF)

Infections of West Nile Virus were recently found in Washington State. Each spring since 2003, the Port of Seattle has responded with a West Nile Virus Action Plan that includes outreach, new regulations, mosquito monitoring and mosquito control.

Health and safety presentations are being conducted to those individuals associated with the Port of Seattle who work outdoors at Sea-Tac Airport. For the most recent information on WNV and its prevention visit the Seattle Metro King County Department of Health Web site.

New Regulations

On May 31, 2003, the Sea-Tac International Airport Rules and Regulations No. 4 were modified to ensure all who work at the airport are taking the appropriate measures to reduce mosquito-breeding habitat in the areas where they work.

These regulations state that: All containers (buckets, tires, gutters, etc.) and storage areas capable of storing or holding standing water longer than 24 hours shall be immediately emptied, permanently repaired in a way not to hold water in the future, or covered to reduce wildlife hazards and prevent mosquitoes from breeding and potentially transmitting disease.

Mosquito Monitoring

Again in 2007, the Port will begin a monitoring program to systematically sample waters from more than 20 sites for evidence of mosquito larva. If necessary, special traps are also being deployed to look for high densities of adult mosquitoes, especially those species that are known to carry West Nile Virus. If certain kinds of adult mosquitoes are found, they will be tested to see if they are carriers of the disease.

Mosquito Control

The primary objective of the Integrated Mosquito Management approach is to treat only those specific areas where mosquito larvae, pupae or adult numbers are high. The four treatments approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Washington Department of Health include:

• Bacillus sphaericus, a species-specific bacteria that prevents mosquito larva from digesting their food.
• Methoprene, a species-specific insect growth regulator that inhibits the development of larvae into adults.
• Surface films disrupt the surface tension of the water. This inhibits the ability of mosquito larvae and pupae to attach to the surface of the water. It does not allow the mosquito to breathe or emerge from the pupa stage.
• ULV Fogging reduces the number of adult biting mosquitoes. Ultra low volumes of insecticides are fogged from ground equipment to areas of high mosquito densities. This practice is reserved for those areas with adult mosquito numbers.

For more information, contact Steve Osmek, Wildlife Program Manager/Biologist at Sea-Tac Airport.