Our highly qualified staff can launch surveillance operations of any scale using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment, on a regular schedule or in emergency mode in case of epidemics. Our lab can identify mosquito samples at the species level and confirm the presence of virus within 48h. Our molecular biology lab uses PCR (polymerase chain reaction) which is considered as the gold-standard method for viral detection. The lab has successfully passed all the annual certifications managed by the National Microbiology Laboratory (Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg). In addition to West Nile virus, the GDG lab has performed several mandates of surveillance for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE), a deadly virus transmitted by mosquitoes to humans and farm animals (horses, emus).

All identification and viral detection data are computed in the GDG WNV database, the structure of which has been adopted by the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Surveillance reports include all raw data in addition to the analysis of infection rates in mosquitoes, the estimation of the Vector Index, density maps of mosquitoes, weather data and trends, and WNv risk level estimation.  GDG customers can access reports through a personalized and secure Web link.

Since 2003, GDG has been performing the control of WNv vectors in Quebec and Ontario. Our operations department performs all steps of prevention programs, ranging from GIS mapping to the application of mosquito larvicides (Bti, B. sphaericus and methoprene) and performance assessment.