WINNIPEG - May 22, 2008 – The Insect Control Branch is continuing its larviciding program in Winnipeg and the surrounding 10 km treatment area. The cooler temperatures and below normal precipitation continued to slow larval development and have enabled helicopter and ground crews to treat all standing water sites that have larvae. To date, the spring larviciding program has been successful in controlling the spring nuisance mosquitoes.

The AFA (Adulticiding Factor Analysis Guideline) continues to be low. Surveillance data indicates low to moderate levels of larvae in standing water sites. Trap counts have been zero since the monitoring of adult nuisance mosquitoes began May 1, 2008, using the New Jersey Light Traps. Over the next 7-10 days, the Insect Control Branch anticipates only a small emergence of spring nuisance mosquitoes. Trap count data can be viewed at the Insect Control website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

The Insect Control Branch is forecasting a significant cankerworm population in Winnipeg over the next few weeks which will likely have the potential to cause major defoliation of American Elms, Manitoba Maple and Ash trees in many parts of the City where there are large stands of these trees. These populations generally follow a natural five to seven year cycle and have been building up their populations over the past couple of years. Based on previous historical data, the Branch anticipates that this may be the peak of this cycle.

Current surveillance data indicates that cankerworm populations will be similar to the large populations the City experienced last year. This forecast is based on:

• Recent data collected from the spring adult female cankerworm moths which were captured on the tree bands.
• Data collected from the fall adult cankerworm female moths which laid their eggs in the fall of 2007.

Many citizens of Winnipeg banded their trees this season and this will certainly help to lessen the cankerworm population. Areas of the City which have been extensively banded should experience less defoliation than areas where banding was less prevalent.

The Branch is preparing for a cankerworm control program for boulevard trees and City parks. The appropriate time to treat trees is once the surveillance data shows that the larvae (worms) are actively feeding on the leaves.

Homeowners are reminded to remove bands on their trees as they serve no useful purpose now since the adult moths have already laid their eggs. Leaving the bands on the tree will cause more damage to the tree now as the bands will encourage rotting on the bark, thereby affecting the health of the tree.

Individuals who are opposed to the use of insecticides on or adjacent to their principle residence for the control of cankerworms may register their opposition in writing to the Insect Control Branch, 3 Grey St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2L 1V2 or by faxing it to 311 or by registering online at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

Interested individuals may acquire more information by contacting the City’s Bugline at 311 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by visiting the City’s Insect Control website at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

WINNIPEG - May 22, 2008 – The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) – in partnership with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) – today announced that its Advanced Care Paramedics will have the ability to administer clot-busting therapy, where medically-indicated, to patients suffering the most severe form of heart attack. This new protocol – currently in place in only two other Canadian cities – is made possible by innovative technology and the careful guidance of an on-call cardiologist.

“Medical progress and technological advancements have come together to improve patient care,” said Dr. Rob Grierson, WFPS Medical Director. “When every second counts, the sooner we can reverse damage to the heart, the better the outcome for the patient. When clot-busting medications are administered, we see results in minutes; in the past, this was something done only by a physician in a hospital. Now, under a cardiologist’s direction, our most highly trained paramedics will be able to provide this therapy in the field.”

Dr. Alan Menkis, Medical Director of the WRHA Cardiac Sciences Program said the unique partnership between WFPS and the region is reflected in the announcement. “The best interests of the patients are best served when everyone works together as part of the patient’s health care team. This is an excellent example of that kind of teamwork.”

The new protocol will see paramedics assess a patient who is suffering from chest pain and conduct a 12-lead heart tracing (ECG) using a cardiac monitor/defibrillator. Based on this ECG and the patient’s symptoms, the paramedics will be able to diagnose patients who are having the most severe form of heart attack. This form of heart attack is known as a ST segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Once paramedics have identified a patient with a STEMI, they will then transmit a copy of the ECG, via a wireless network (from an electronic tablet (E-PCR) to the wireless hand-held device), to an on-call cardiologist. They will then follow-up that transmission with a call to the cardiologist to discuss the patient’s case in real time. Based on this discussion and the ECG, the cardiologist will recommend one of three possible treatment options: 1) transport to the closest hospital, 2) administration of the clot-busting medication and transport to St. Boniface General Hospital or 3) transport directly to the cardiac catheterization laboratory at St. Boniface General Hospital.

The combined technologies of three key partners have made this initiative possible: Zoll Medical Corporation with its defibrillator/monitor; Zoll Data Systems with its electronic patient care reporting software; and MTS Allstream, who are providing a secure wireless network over which information travels, and wireless hand-held devices which allow the cardiologist to view the 12-lead ECG.

“We are pleased to work with the City of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to develop a solution that not only demonstrates a capacity for wireless innovation, but will help improve the emergency medical services available to people in Winnipeg,” said Kelvin Shepherd, President Consumer Markets division, MTS Allstream. “The people of Winnipeg are fortunate to have some of the most committed emergency medical personnel in Canada protecting them, and we are proud to provide them with a solution that will help them do an even better job.”

Advanced Care Paramedics will begin administering clot-busting medication early next month.