Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

ASB III 3 RutgersPlaza

New Brunswick, NJ 08901

PROJECT TITLE: Surveillance Data Standardization and Assurance Pilot 2012-2013

SUMBITTED TO: NJDEP/State Mosquito Control Commission

PROPOSED PROJECT PERIOD: 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013

SPONSOR FUNDING REQUESTED;

YEAR 1: $ 41,000

TOTAL: $ 41,000

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS: $ 41,000

FEIN:1-26001086-A1

DUNS:00-191-2864

SIGNATURE OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

______DATE______

PI NAME: Mark Robson

ADDRESS: 59 Dudley Rd, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

PHONE: (848) 932-6276

FAX: (732) 932-6535

EMAIL:

AUTHORIZED UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL:

______DATE______

NAME:

TITLE:

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Email: 

Tel: 732-932-0150  Fax: 732-932-0162

Revised May 2005

A Surveillance Data Standardization and Assurance Pilot 2012-2013

Abstract: County mosquito control agencies in New Jerseymonitor population abundance to apply integrated pest management practices for the management of nuisance and public health mosquitoes (Brattsten and Hamilton 2010). A variety of collection devices are used, including New Jersey light traps, a portion of which are used in a statewide surveillance program of adult mosquitoes. In addition, county agencies submit samples of mosquitoes for virus testing. These data are used to justify mosquito control activities at both the county and state level. Action depends on the quality of the information collected, however little is known about the accuracy of mosquito identification and the integration of data into the control decision process by the county programs. Because of the dependency of several state programs as well as the county agencies themselves on the quality of this data, a quality control and assurance program should be implemented. This would involve a coordinator that would closely observe how an agency produces surveillance data, from the use of traps to the identification of samples. The coordinator would evaluate how the surveillance data is used to implement the agency’s IPM program. Based upon the results of this survey and information gathered from 14 previously interviewed agencies, the coordinator would make recommendations to the agency on methods to improve areas that may be inadequate as well as report on those methods used by the agency that are “best management practices.”

PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

Name of Project Director: Mark Robson

Institution or Agency: School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, NJAES

Title of Project: Surveillance Data Standardization and Assurance, 2012-2013

Date: 18 February, 2012

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Justification: Each year, New Jersey county mosquito control agencies monitor mosquito population abundance in order to apply integrated pest management practices toward mitigation of nuisance and public health mosquitoes (Brattsten and Hamilton 2010). Numeroussampling methods are used, withNew Jersey light traps forming the backbone of the statewide surveillance program of adult mosquitoes. In addition, county agencies collect, identify, process, and submit samples of mosquitoes for virus testing. These data are used to direct mosquito control activities at both the county and state level. Control efficacy depends on the quality of the information being collected and there is currently no objective review of how well that is being carried out. Because of the dependency of several state programs as well as the county agencies themselves on the quality of this data, a quality control and assurance program should be implemented. This would involve a coordinator that would closely observe how an agency produces surveillance data, from the use of traps to the identification of samples. The coordinator would evaluate how the surveillance data are used to implement the agency’s IPM program. During FY 13,the coordinator will make recommendations to the agency on methods to improve areas that may be inadequate as well as report on those methods used by the agency that are “best management practices.”

Intent: The purpose of this pilot study is to provide data that indicate how well a county is performing regarding the data produced for the county and state as well as to how well this data is incorporated into their IPM program.The study will also provide opportunity for the coordinator to experience "hands on" participation in the surveillance effort and provide "real-time" consultation and recommendations for improvement. The product of this work will be the standardization of surveillance efforts statewide toward the documentation and justification of dedicated state resources to county control agencies. The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (herein referred to as NJAES), Rutgers University is the intended contractor.

Scope of Work: This contract involves the acquisition of data and information to allow the evaluation of county mosquito control agencies with regard to mosquito identification, trap operations and the application of the subsequent data to the IPM decisions of the agencies. This will involve working closely with the chosen agencies, in-person, on-site at county locationsto observe, compare and make recommendations dependent on the outcome of the data.Included in the scope will be the consideration of specific sites within a county that pose considerable logistical issues with regard to surveillance efforts (examples below).

Resources: A maximum amount of $41,000 will be made available via standard service contract (DEP-070 3/06) administered by the NJ Office of Mosquito Control Coordination, Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ 08625. All standard specifications and terms apply as indicated in the contract.

Specifications:

Surveillance Assessment:

The county mosquito control programs that have not previously participated in thisprogram will be chosen for more intense interaction review. Grant personnel will visit each of these agenciesas needed per consultation with representatives of the State Mosquito Control Commission during the contractto assess their surveillance parameters. This will include a review of their mosquito identification capabilities as well as the location and operation of NJ light traps they employ. In addition, the review will determine if data from these traps are used to help make control decisions and to monitor the effectiveness of their program.

The review of each county will also assess how other surveillance tools are employed to track nuisance levels and for monitoring, collecting and submitting specimens for potential disease threats. New Jersey has ecologically diverse mosquito fauna that require specific sampling techniques to develop the most effective intervention responses. The deployment and use of gravid traps to monitor West Nile virus activity, for example, is critical throughout this entire region. We are uncertain of how well these devices are used and if they are appropriately incorporated into control action. The quality of processing samples submitted for virus testing will also be reviewed.

Othersurveillance techniques that are used by specific agencies will be noted. These may include service requests from residents, landing/bite collections, portable traps supplemented with carbon dioxide (ABC or CDC traps), ovitraps, resting boxes and BG sentinel traps. Some of these methods are appropriate and necessary for a particular region but are not always useful throughout all of New Jersey. The role of larval surveillance and identification will also be determined. Usage of these different sampling devices as part of an integrated mosquito control program will be evaluated.

Other parameters to be considered during evaluations:

The credentials of the personnel involved.
The use of data to justify use of state resources.
The use of data to justify the application of insecticides.
The application of the recommendations resulting from the annual NJAES review of "Plans and Estimates".
The use of collected data as submitted to the annual PESP survey or the compliance with the NJPDES permit.
The decision-making process in selection of species to be tested; viruses to be investigated.
The application of data toward the development of new field collecting strategies.
Methods of data recording ( maps, charts, graphs).
The use of available technology ( i.e. GPS/ GIS).
The use of data as a watermanagement planning tool.
The use of data as a bio-control implementation tool.
The use of data to improve the usage of available resources.
Special cases which may be problematic surveillance sites (i.e. dredge-spoil sites or wildlife refuges).
The timely submission of data as useful for weekly surveillance reports.

Reporting

Preliminary progress reports will be included in the information provided by the NJAES representative at the general business meetings of the NJ State Mosquito Control Commission (NJSMCC). Staff supported by this grant will also be available to discuss the status of the work. A comprehensive report on the results will be submitted to the NJSMCC at the final meeting of 2012 and include planned work for the spring of 2013.

Information in the reports will include, but not be limited to:

Evaluation of current practices of trap usage and maintenance,
Evaluation of mosquito species identification capabilities,
Evaluation of use of surveillance data to IPM practices of the agencies
Recommendations to correct or improve 1, 2 and/or 3,
Observations of operations that could be considered “best practices,” including rules or implementation of surveillance data driving IPM practices.

All standard specifications regarding financial reports, dissemination of information, acknowledgement and authorship, access to material, performance, amendments and monitoring shall apply. Any additions or alterations of protocols to the management and reporting of collected data not described in these specifications shall not be made without prior communication to and the acknowledgement and approval of the NJ State Mosquito Control Commission or its assigns.

An annual report shall be submitted to the NJ State Mosquito Control Commission in a downloadable and printable format able to be reproduced and included in the annual report of the NJSMCC. All pages, including charts and graphs shall be in "portrait" format in MSWord.

An annual report shall be presented at the annual meeting of the NJ Mosquito Control Association, Inc. and a printed report published in the "Proceedings" of that organization. Paragraph XII; "Additional Terms and Conditions"- "Dissemination of Information" and" Acknowledgement/Co-Authorship" of the standard contract (DEP 070 3/06) shall apply.

References to and acknowledgement of the sponsor shall appear thusly: "NJ State Mosquito Control Commission" (i.e. not SMCC, State Commission, State Mosquito Control, Mosquito Commission, etc.).

These specifications and/or a proposal submitted by the NJAES which contain the content of these specifications will be an attachment to the standard DEP contract. Any changes or alterations which are determined to be in the best interests of the State of New Jersey and the NJ State Mosquito Control Commission will be made at the discretion of those agencies.

Literature Cited

Brattsten, L. and G. Hamilton 2010 Insecticides recommended for mosquito control in New Jersey 2010, Appendix: New Jersey’s concept of a responsible mosquito control program, Date accessed June 3, 2010.

Proposed Project Budget Summary

Name of the Principle Investigator: Mark Robson, Ph.D.

Institute or Agency: SEBS/Rutgers, NJAES

Title of Project: Surveillance Quality Control2012-2013

Personnel Costs

Principal Investigator$ 0
Co-Principal Investigator$ 0
Coordinator $ 25,000
Lab Technician $ 4,996
Other (Fringe Benefits)$ 3,619

Total Personnel Costs$ 33,615

B. Expendable Equipment & Supplies$ 358

C. Travel$ 3,300

TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (TDC)$ 37,273

D. Indirect Costs Set By Rutgers (10% TDC)$ 3,727

TOTAL BUDGET$ 41,000

Schedule A: Personnel Costs

List all full and part-time paid positions, including fringe benefits

Position Title / Overall Annual Salary / Fringe % / Fringe / Funds Requested From State
c. Coordinator / $ 25,000 / 7.4 / $ 1,850 / $ 26,850
d. Lab Technician / $ 4.996 / 35.4 / $ 1,769 / $ 6,765
TOTAL PERSONNEL COSTS / $ 3,619 / $ 33,615

Schedule A: Personnel Justification

Position Title / Responsibilities / Specific Duties
Principle Investigator / Oversees Project / Prepares budget
Hires staff
Coordinator / Implements Project Objective / Serves as contact person with agencies
Develops evaluation program for agencies under consideration
Develops and aids with training sessions
Prepares Annual and Semi-annual Reports
Lab Technician / Implements Project Objective / Lab Evaluation and Material for Quality Control

Schedule B: Expendable Equipment and Supply Costs

Name of Item / Cost / Funds Requested from State / Funds Requested from Other Sources
Computer Software, Virus Protection, Statistical and GIS Programs and Licenses. / $ 100 / $ 100 / $ 0
Office Supplies (paper, pens, printer cartridges, fax cartridges, etc.) / $ 258 / $ 258 / $ 0
Total Expendable Equipment and Supply Costs / $ 358 / $ 358 / $ 0

Expendable Equipment and Supply Cost Justification: Software, virus protection, and statistical programs are necessary to produce the reports and to aid the agencies in improving or maintaining their level of professional operation.

Schedule C: Travel Costs

Name of Item / Cost / Funds Requested from State / Funds Requested from Other Sources
Travel Costs / $ 3300 / $ 3300 / $ 0
Total Travel Costs / $ 3300 / $ 3300 / $ 0

Travel Justification: Travel includes going to the evaluated agencies to observe them under operation and to provide them with the tools necessary for becoming or maintaining high levels of professional mosquito control plus travel to NJMCA annual meeting for reporting purposes.

Schedule D: Indirect Costs by Rutgers University

Name of Item / Funds Requested from State
Rutgers Overhead (10% of TDC) / $ 3,727