01/08/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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A *()K.A COL' \T1' Anoka County Multi - Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly infectious and difficult to control disease of cloven - hoofed mammals including cattle, swine, wild sheep, goats, deer, and pigs. Should an outbreak occur anywhere in the United States, routine livestock movements could rapidly spread the disease making early detection, combined with immediate eradication of affected animals, crucial for controlling the disease. Left unchecked, the economic impact of FMD could reach billions of dollars in the first year. Deer and other wildlife would likely become infected and be a source for re- infection of livestock. FMD is not known to cause illness in humans. Anoka County has not experienced FMD. The University of Minnesota Agriculture Extension Agent serving Anoka County has attended Homeland Security training regarding response to emergency disease in animals. Anoka County has not experienced FMD. Livestock in the rural areas of the county would be at greatest risk for FMD. The probability of this disease - affecting Anoka County is low. West Nile Virus (WNV) is one of several mosquito -borne viruses in the United States. The virus exists in nature primarily through a transmission cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Mosquitoes become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds. Less than one percent of humans infected may develop meningitis or encephalitis, the most severe forms of the disease, which occur primarily in persons over 50 years of age. Symptoms of encephalitis or meningitis may include severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma and sometimes, death. Tests performed in 2004 on a dead bird confirmed the presence of WNV in Anoka County. No human cases have been reported. While the probability for future events exists, this hazard presents a low risk to Anoka County and its municipalities. Fire ant colonies can quickly become a human health hazard. Fire ants inject a dose of venom that causes a burning sensation. These stings can cause blisters and infections, and can even cause anaphylactic shock or death in the most sensitive victims. It is also not uncommon for colonies of fire ants to attack and sometimes kill domestic animals, pets, and wildlife. Fire ant mounds can grow up to 2 feet high above ground, and colonies can destroy entire fields of corn and soybeans. These insects are capable of causing major damage, both in terms of human and animal harm, and in crop damage. Fire ants have invaded many of the southern Minnesota counties and continue northward. Anoka County has not experienced infestations of fire ants. At this time, the probability of future fire ant events exists but is a low hazard risk for Anoka County and its municipalities. 4.3.1.8 Severe Weather — Thunderstorms - Hail /Lightning/Wind Thunderstorms are formed from a combination of moisture, rapidly rising warm air, and a force capable of lifting air (i.e. warm and cold front, a sea breeze, or a mountain). Thunderstorms may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines. It is possible for several thunderstorms to affect one location 103