There’s news from Toronto today, the presentation of a new report titled “Bed Bugs Are Back: Are We Ready?” commissioned by the city of Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care according to this news report. Here’s another story with a video segment.
So, I can’t find it! Do send a link if you know where this report is available. We’ll discuss it when we can read it, yes?
Nonetheless, don’t go away, because it turns out that the Toronto Medical Officer of Health has issued a follow-up report on the Toronto Bed Bug Project to be presented at the November 16 Board of Health Meeting.
There are three components and you can download them and read them with me. For now some brief highlights:
Toronto Public Health’s Response to Bed Bugs – Staff Report, from the conclusion:
Over the last two years, it has become clear that the bed bugs in Toronto are a complex and costly problem, requiring labour intensive interventions for effective management.
Toronto Public Health is not adequately resourced to undertake this task and the realignment of staff to work on this issue is not sustainable in the long term.
Bed Bugs in Toronto – Developing an Effective Response (October 2009) (PDF), a report from the Toronto Bed Bug Project Steering Committee, from the executive summary:
The High Cost of Doing Nothing: The longer left alone and untreated, the more the bed bugs will multiply and migrate. When colonies reach a certain size, some of the bed bugs begin to break away and migrate, moving further into adjacent units or traveling on belongings into new spaces, creating multiple infestations.
Letter from Toronto Community Housing entitled “Pest Management Program” (PDF), on the effect of sealing apartments:
Sealing of unit cracks and crevices has been found to be a very successful method of reducing the spread of bed bugs to neighbouring units. From 2007-2009, staff have sealed approximately 6,394 units portfolio-wide through the Unit Refurbishment Program. As well, approximately 10% of Toronto Community Housing units are sealed per year during turnover of units. Where units have been correctly sealed, staff have noticed an up to 60% decrease in infestation rates.
In addition, you can read the detailed agenda for the board of health meeting (PDF), on the financial impact:
The TPH Bed Bug Unit in 2009 has been supported by three Public Health Inspectors and two Public Health Nurses who have been re-assigned to this work from the Health Hazard and the Vulnerable Adults programs. These resources will continue to support the Bed Bug Project in 2010 and the estimated cost of continuing this project is $500,000 gross and $125,000 net which will be absorbed within TPH 2010 Operating Budget. TPH will continue to work with TESS and SSHA in the delivery of this program in 2010.
These pages may be of related interest:
- Toronto Public Health’s bed bug portal: a closer look
- The Toronto Bed Bug Project – Medical Officer of Health’s Report
- The Toronto Bed Bug Project: an update to the update!
- The Toronto Bed Bug Project is surveying residents about bed bugs
- Linkages: a Q&A with Rima Zavys of WoodGreen Community Services and the Toronto Bed Bug Project
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