West Nile Virus

WHEREAS the Ministry of Health has the responsibility to protect the public against health hazards including controlling the transmission of viruses to the human population; AND WHEREAS health officials anticipate the arrival of the West Nile Virus to British Columbia by the summer of 2005: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the Ministry of Health to withdraw plans to download responsibility for application of control measures for the West Nile Virus onto local government and that the Province accept responsibility for taking the necessary control measures directly to address any potential public health hazard.