Ontario Vector Control Association Information

It is appropriate to give recognition where it is due. Several people maintained the association, then known as the Ontario Mosquito Control Association, from the time of its inception to address St. Louis encephalitis outbreak to just prior to when West Nile virus became a Canadian concern in 2001. The Board included Mike Baskerville, Frank Mangan, Gordon Rogers and Gord Surgeoner. Their commitment and dedication to the organization enabled it to address its mandate to provide information and to support the efforts of organizations across Canada dealing with vector borne diseases such as government health agencies. In 2001 with a West Nile virus outbreak imminent, a new Board was formed that included Mike Baskerville, Bill Huff, Stephen Nicholson, Barry Tyler and Paul Zimmer, all experienced in one way or another with mosquito control. Mike has served on the Board for over 40 years. This new Board decided to expand the scope of the organization beyond mosquito vectors, and renamed the organization, the Ontario Vector Control Association. This would enable the organization to expand its mandate to include topics such as ticks and Lyme disease and bats and rabies. West Nile virus wreaked its own brand of havoc with the 2002 outbreak in Ontario and provided the opportunity for the OVCA over the next 6 years to facilitate the exchange of information between those with expertise and those willing to learn. The disease spread rapidly from central to western Canada and mosquito larviciding programs were implemented. West Nile virus is now well established in Canada and annual programs continue in Ontario where human health is considered at risk. At this time we continue to address West Nile virus and stay alert for the possibility of another St. Louis encephalitis outbreak. The more deadly eastern equine encephalitis, known to occur in rural areas of Ontario and Manitoba, is also a concern. Other mosquito borne diseases appear to looming on the horizon. A minor resurgence of malaria, once a problem in Ontario and ...