Department of Environmental Health

Transcription

1 14 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Cayman s vigilance against mosquito-borne threats paid off in 21 when the Islands emerged as the only regional territory to be free of dengue fever. Meanwhile, local services moved into a heightened state of alert with reports of incidents of West Nile Virus in North America and detection of one case in the Islands. Precautionary measures, including a joint study with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, are expected to continue into 22. In another sphere of environmental health protection, the Department of Environmental Health conducted a plethora of services in ensuring optimum health standards throughout all sectors of industry as regards food hygiene and safety, water supply, solid waste management and recycling. Department of Environmental Health Responsibilities The Department of Environmental Health (DEH) is responsible for all aspects of solid waste management, including collection, landfilling, recycling, biomedical waste incineration, beach cleaning and litter collection, and hazardous waste disposal. The DEH manages the food hygiene and sanitation programme: inspection of locally slaughtered meats, imported food container inspections, food recalls, and the improvement and quality control of commercial food facilities. The DEH is accountable for the inspection and improvement of tourist and tenement accommodations, as well as for building development control through plan reviews and programmes related to sanitation, lighting, ventilation and other aspects of health and safety. The DEH is also responsible for pollution prevention and all other environmental health matters pertaining to the protection of human health. Other important areas of responsibility include: district sanitation; monitoring of public and private water supplies, swimming pools, and bathing beaches; rodent control; and public cemetery management. Duties extend to the provision of environmental health and solid waste management information and training and advice to residents and schools. The DEH operates offices on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, and landfills in all three islands. District and Establishment Sanitation Management Environmental health officers continued to conduct regular inspections in the various districts and food establishments on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman during 21. In collaboration with Community Health Services, the DEH trained 211 participants in a new cosmetology sanitation programme. The course has been successful in providing a training medium for a very broad sector of allied health professionals, including hair stylists, barbers, tattoo artists and masseuses. The department continued to provide rodent control and surveillance services in the three islands. The commercial rodent programme continues on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, but is now provided by the private sector on Grand Cayman. The DEH issued 11 deratting certificates to cruise ships and other vessels visiting Grand Cayman. Mosquito Research and Control Unit West Nile Virus

2 Food Hygiene and Safety Food officers undertook a total of 1,363 inspections of the various food establishments in the Cayman Islands during 21. Additionally, a total of 1,495 inspections were carried out on chilled and frozen foods, as part of the Imported Foods Container Surveillance Programme. The DEH conducted 713 post-mortem inspections on locally slaughtered animals (cattle, pigs and goats) during the year. The DEH also applied increased surveillance and control measures for airline food waste, having regard to incidents of Foot and Mouth Disease among the animal population of the United Kingdom and other European countries. The Basic Food Hygiene Certification Programme continued during the year. A total of 61 food handlers, from the various food establishments on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, successfully completed the programme. The food section received and acted on 76 food-recall notifications, mainly from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a wide variety of items recalled for various reasons. Food officers collected 141 samples for analysis by the DEH Laboratory. The internal risk-rating system based on the principles of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) proved helpful with improving the quality control of the many food establishments in the Cayman Islands. Building Development Control A total of 146 new building applications were reviewed in 21, representing a decline of 17 % when compared to the previous year. Of the new applications, restaurants represented 19%; apartments, 17%; and business offices, 12%. For the reporting period, 87 Certificates of Occupancy were also processed, reflecting a decline of 42% against year 2 figures. Laboratory Management In 21, the DEH laboratory continued to improve in quality, safety, and efficiency with the enhancement of various laboratory functions and programmes. The laboratory routinely monitors drinking water quality at establishments such as schools, public buildings, health clinics, day-care centres, tourist accommodations and food premises, as well as collecting and analysing recreational water samples from swimming pools and beaches. Food samples from routine inspections and as a result of complaints or of disease outbreaks are analysed for pathogens and other agents. Some 2,6 drinking water samples were collected and analysed in 21, along with another 211 recreational water and 148 food samples. The analytical chemistry section of the laboratory continues to monitor the George Town and Cayman Brac landfills and to conduct used oil testing. In addition, the laboratory provides research and response support for the departmental functions of hurricane preparedness, and hazardous waste and materials handling. Solid Waste Management Collections The DEH continues to offer on all three islands twice weekly residential waste collection, between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m., covering six routes. In 21, collections in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman were switched from two to three times weekly, to allow for more beach and roadside litter removal and to standardize the service. Many cost-saving measures were planned or implemented by the solid waste section. A significant amount of planning went into re-routing all residential collection activities in Grand Cayman. The DEH anticipates initiating the new routes in the spring of 22 to provide a more cost-effective and improved service to the public. A commercial-type bin to increase efficiency and cut costs has replaced many containers previously serviced by the residential collection vehicles. The DEH is continuing to focus efforts on eliminating below-ground bins on the residential routes and phasing out regular bins for large multi-unit residences, since this form of collection results in poor efficiency and unacceptable strain on the solid waste drivers assistants. Commercial collection is carried out on at least a weekly basis, with more frequent service reserved for restaurants, which are offered daily removals. Commercial waste is serviced via front-loading, skiff, opened-top/ roll-off, and compactor containers, with collection of bulky items via grab-truck service. The DEH is improving efficiency in the collection of commercial waste by utilizing front-loading containers and self-contained compactors wherever possible. A third front-loader route was added in 2, and by the end of 21, the DEH had completely utilized that extra route and was contemplating the addition of a fourth route to keep up with growth. 164

3 Disposal In 21, the waste tonnage received for disposal was approximately 55, tons, 5% less than in 2. Sanitation Cleaning The DEH Sanitation Crew performs the cleaning and landscaping of public areas such as beaches, parks and cemeteries, in addition to roadside litter collection. More complete staffing in 21 allowed this section to keep up with its regular work in addition to responding quickly to a major cleanup following Hurricane Michelle. Approximately 365 cubic yards of debris were collected. Recycling The DEH is the major provider in the Cayman Islands with respect to collection, processing and marketing of recyclable material. In 21, the Cayman Islands recycled: Aluminum: cans, vehicle registration plates, and satellite dishes. Old Paper: office and computer paper. Lead Acid Batteries: automobile, marine and heavy equipment. Used Oil: all types, small quantity generators only. Scrap Metals: derelict vehicles, miscellaneous scrap metal. Christmas Trees Other materials recycled or reused are: 1,-Gallon Propane Tanks: Donated to the DEH by Home Gas, these tanks are used to store used oil prior to shipment, or as water storage tanks irrigating the landfill road to keep dust under control during the dry season. Wooden Shipping Pallets: These are dropped off at the landfill for disposal by a variety of businesses. The DEH stockpiles lead-acid batteries on these pallets and shrinkwraps them in plastic for shipping. Used pallets are also given to other companies that use them for shipping purposes. Old Corrugated Cardboard The DEH had to temporarily suspend its old corrugated cardboard (OCC) recycling programme in 21. In the region of USD$2 per ton, OCC had a very low market value in 21. It is therefore more cost-effective to landfill cardboard until the value increases. The DEH is constantly monitoring the markets for any upward change in value so that OCC can again be shipped to the U.S. for recycling. As a result of this suspension, the DEH was able for the first time to obtain adequate revenue from the sale of all recyclables to cover the cost of shipping and transport to market. Cans and Other Aluminium Products: The DEH has secured a reliable market for aluminium, with a total of 15.6 tons, including Brac collections, shipped in 21. Lead Acid Batteries: The DEH increased its total tonnage of batteries recycled to 226 tons in 21. (Prior totals were 1 tons shipped in 1999 and 14 tons in 2.) The figure for 21 includes batteries collected in Cayman Brac. Scrap Metal: A new market was located in Cuba for the recycling of ferrous metals. At the beginning of 21, approximately 35 derelict vehicles were shipped there for recycling, diverting approximately 375 tons of waste from the landfill. Christmas Trees: An annual tradition, the DEH collected used Christmas trees and chipped them for use by the public. An estimated 525 trees were chipped in January 21. Used Motor Oil: 5,3 gallons (2 tons) were shipped to Tampa for recycling. A second container was prepared for shipping by year-end. Waste Diverted: A total of tons of waste was diverted from the landfill and recycled in 21. Equipment The DEH was able to purchase some equipment for its recycling programme in 21: A new Bobcat for moving containers and drums in the recycling area A new recyclable shipping container Two oil pumps for the 55-gal used oil drums at the George Town Landfill A new insulated 2-foot, 6,-gallon used-oil shipping container. Education & Promotions In 21, the DEH focused considerable effort on increasing public awareness of environmental health issues and solid waste matters, including recycling. Fairs The department was represented at a number of events in 21. Interactive displays were set up at the Agricultural Fair, the Civil Service Fair and the Book Fair, providing hands-on activities, DEH flyers and visits from Iggy, the recycling iguana mascot. Education All schools in the Cayman Islands were contacted and encouraged to use the educational services of the DEH. 165

4 The Public Education and Promotions Officer made over 3 presentations to schools and/or student groups, emphasizing the importance of recycling, anti-littering and the three R s Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Six new schools initiated in-school aluminium can recycling programmes, with classes competing to bring in the largest numbers. Tours of the George Town Landfill and the DEH Laboratory were also conducted. Earth Day 21 The DEH helped to organize a variety of special activities to promote the Islands first Earth Week, working in collaboration with the DoE, National Trust, the Chamber of Commerce and C.I.T.A. Over 85 volunteers took part in the annual Earth Day clean up, collecting over 65 bags of litter or aluminium cans. The DEH worked with the National Trust to provide educational booklets for students and with Foster s Food Fair to provide and promote reusable, cloth shopping bags. New Programmes The Health Education Programme for barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, tattooist and body pierciers was launched and training courses began in March. A new Grocery Store Aluminium Can Drop-off Programme was launched at the five main grocery stores in Grand Cayman. Convenient outdoor drop-off containers allow residents to dispose of their aluminium cans when they go grocery shopping. DEH worked with Cable and Wireless to initiate a new programme for the recycling of old telephone books. Public Awareness & Promotion The John Grey Recyclers worked with DEH to provide a float in the annual Pirate s Week Parade. This year s float, Don t Spoil with Oil Recycle, promoted the importance of recycling waste oil, generating much public awareness for the need for safe disposal. Advertising campaigns for the recycling of aluminium cans, waste oil, lead acid batteries and natural Christmas trees were aided by local media, and an antidumping campaign was launched. DEH flyers are now distributed to the public at fairs, hospitals, libraries and most post offices. In 21, the DEH designed flyers to provide important information on the care and maintenance of cisterns, food hygiene, rodent control, solid waste, and the role and responsibilities of DEH. Assistance and information are available from the Recycling Hotline ( ) or the Customer Service Hotline ( ). The Cayman Brac/Little Cayman Environmental Health Officer may be contacted at Mosquito Research & Control Unit New Jersey Light Trap Catch During 21, 1,181,465 mosquitoes were counted from 9,242 trap collections, making an average of 128 mosquitoes per trap per night for 29 New Jersey light traps. The traps collected 14 different species of mosquitoes, of which Aedes taeniorhynchus, being 45% of the total, was most abundant. The next most abundant species, at 27%, was Culex nigipalpus. The remaining 28% comprised 12 species. The only important potential malaria vector, Anopheles albimanus, accounted for.24% of the total catch (although this species is known to be less attracted to New Jersey light traps than other species). A significant nuisance, the grassland-breeding species Psorofora confinis, constituted 1.7% of the total catch. October was the month with the highest trap catch, with 193,29 or an average of mosquitoes per trap per night and about 16% of the year s total. High trap catches were also experienced in August, February and January. The month registering the lowest number of mosquitoes was April, followed by March, July and June. Species Total Mosquitoes % of Annual Trapped Total D. cancer 14, Ae. taeniorhynchus 534, Ae. scapularis 3, Ae. albopictus 4.3 An. albimanus 2,86.24 An. grabhami 142, An. atropos 42.4 Cx. nigripalpus 32, Cx. quinquifasciatus 5,871.5 Cx. iolambdis 135, W. vanduzii U. lowii 1,19.9 Ps. ciliata 14.1 Ps. confinis 2, TOTAL 1,181,

5 Av. Number of Mosquitoes per Trap per night Rainfall ÄÅÆÇÈÅÉÅÇÇÉÇÇÉÇÇÇÇ Mosquitoes Rainfall Total rainfall for Grand Cayman for 21 was 1,517.38mm (derived from an average of 32 island-wide rain gauges). Highest recorded rainfall was experienced during October (585.38mm), constituting 38.58% of the annual figure, followed by November (216.63mm), at 14.28%, and May and August (181.63mm and mm, respectively), each 11.97% and 11.49%. These four months accounted for 76.32% of the annual rainfall for Grand Cayman. The driest month for 21 was June (2.49mm), at.16% of the annual rainfall for Grand Cayman. June was trailed by December (9.94mm), at.66%; February (28.47mm), 1.88%; and April (35.47), 2.34%. Ä Å Å Æ ÇÈÉ É ÇÉ É ÇÇ Ä ÇÉ UARY M ARCH IL M AY E Y UST EM OB EM EM B M onth Total Rainfall (mm) Number of Requests ÄÅÆÇÅÈÉÈÅÉÄ Place Request for spraying % of Annual Total Bodden Town Breakers East End Frank Sound George Town Hutland Lower Valley Newlands Northward Pease Bay Prospect Red Bay Rum Point Savannah South Sound Spotts Tropical Gardens West Bay West Bay Peninsula TOTAL 166 Requests for Spraying Requests for spraying are usually for one of three purposes: in a general area as a result of high numbers; prior to a public or private function at a specific location; or for a specific mosquito problem; for example, for mosquitoes occurring over a period of time at a particular location. During 21, 166 requests were logged, with August and October registering highest demand. Each month registered 31 requests, respectively 18.67% of the annual total. Table 1. shows number of spraying requests according to location. As shown, the greatest number of requests came from Prospect (13.86%), followed by the West Bay Peninsula (12.65%). 167

6 Total Spray Missions Number of requests BODDEN TOWN BREAKERS ÄÅÆÇÅÈÉÈÅÉÄ ÉÉ Ground ULV Operations EAST END FRANK SOUND GEORGE TOWN HUTLAND LOWER VALLEY NEWLANDS NORTHWARD PEASE BAY PROSPECT RED BAY RUM POINT SAVANNAH SOUTH SOUND SPOTTS WEST BAY WEST BAY PENINSULA TROPICAL GARDENS MRCU operates a number of truck-mounted, ultra low volume (ULV) cold foggers for insecticide application. The newest of these are three Grizzly ULV machines manufactured by Clarke Mosquito Control. During 21, 393 ground ULV applications were carried out on Grand Cayman. The months with the heaviest volume of applications were August and October (53 applications each), followed by November (43) and May (41). ÄÅÆÇÈÉÄÅÈÉÈÆÈÆ Aerial Adulticide Applications During 21 there were 119 aerial adulticide applications in Grand Cayman. The months with the highest number of applications were August (22 applications) and October (21 applications), followed by May (13) and November (1). Aerial Adulticide Applications According to Location The West Bay Peninsula (41 applications) was the location most treated during 21 in the aerial adulticide programme. Next in line were Lower Valley (32), Newlands (31) and Hutland (3). Total Adulticide Applications Total Adulticide Applications ÄÅÆÇÈÉÄÉÇÈÇÈÈÇÈÉÉÆÈÈÈ ÄÅÆÇÈÉÄÉÇÇÅÄÉÇÈÇÈÇ Applications Rainfall ÅÆÆÈÈÈ Applications Mosquitoes West Nile Virus A single case of the West Nile Virus was detected in Cayman Brac in August 21, reinforcing the importance of MRCU remaining vigilant with regard to new and emerging mosquito-borne threats in the Caribbean. The West Nile Virus, which was typically found in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia, has only recently been noted in the United States. Many species of migratory birds can be infected with the virus, which can potentially infect humans through the mosquito, an intermediate host. Varieties of mosquitoes associated with these types of birds are themselves infected with the virus, which then has the potential of being passed on to humans bitten by these diseased mosquitoes. In August 21, a Cayman Brac resident with minimal recent overseas travel showed symptoms of a West-Niletype encephalitis. The patient complained of aching joints, fatigue and headaches, further complicated by delirium and loss of vision. By mid-september blood results indicated that the cause was likely to be a mosquito-borne disease. Final confirmation of a West Nile Virus infection came in October from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. The patient had recovered by the end of October 21. Total Rainfall (mm) Mosquitoes per Trap per Night 168

7 In September, MRCU scientists on Grand Cayman reinforced the Cayman Brac team s efforts in mobilising investigative and control procedures. Initial residual insecticide treatments were carried out in the immediate locality of the patient s residence where adult mosquitoes were most likely to encounter and bite humans. As a further precaution, standing water was treated with biological larvicides and a regular regime of ground fogging operations were initiated throughout Cayman Brac. Further investigation revealed a number of bird types found in Cayman Brac that have been shown to carry the virus in the USA. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are regarded as attractive sanctuaries for these migratory birds. These include: Grey Heron (Ardea cinera), Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus), Rock Dove (Columbia livia), and Eurasian Turtle Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). Five species of local mosquitoes are also implicated as potential carriers of the West Nile Virus from birds to humans. These are Aedes albopictus, Culex nigripalpus, Culex quinquifasciatus, Ochlerotatus sollicitans, and Psorophora columbiae. On confirmation of the presence of West Nile, an extensive mosquito survey was carried out, taking into account species identification from 42 breeding pools on the island. The survey included enhanced mosquito trapping techniques and larval surveillance of standing water. Field testing kits (Vec Test) were used to check captured blood-fed mosquitoes for presence of the West Nile Virus. MRCU in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman now has the capability to use this technique on a regular monitoring basis. No further cases of West Nile Virus were detected in the Cayman Islands in 21. Heightened vigilance against the West Nile Virus will remain in effect throughout 22 in all three islands. Additional control and laboratory testing equipment was purchased for the Sister Islands to effect rapid treatment and viral testing. In addition it is expected that within the first half of 22, collaboration with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center will initiate a migratory bird study on the Sister Islands to further indicate the level of potential threat in the bird population. A variety of adult mosquito traps were used to enhance surveillance techniques MRCU s Dr. Alan Wheeler prepares for Fogging treatment, assisted by Superintendent Floyd Banks and Technical Assistant Osmond Knight Residual house treatments conducted by MRCU Officer, Mr. Franklin Lewis 169

8 Iggy, the DEH recycling mascot, encourages residents to help themselves to "merry mulch," compost derived from recycled Christmas trees. Ms. Jane Ebanks rakes the sand of the traditional cemetery she tends in Boatswain Bay. The DEH crew disposes of collected litter in the dropoff bin at the landfill site on Seymour Drive. PricewaterhouseCoopers staff collect roadside trash in support of Earth Week