Study reveals people's West Nile virus concerns - Editorial

AORN Journal, March, 2003

Thirty-three percent of people living in areas of the United States in which there are large numbers of mosquitoes believe that they or family members are very likely (9%) or somewhat likely (24%) to contract West Nile virus (WNV) in the next 12 months, and 32% of dog owners are concerned that their dog might contract the virus, according to a Jan 13, 2003, news release from the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. Study findings are based on 1,001 interviews conducted with people throughout the United States, 516 of whom said they live in areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes.

Forty-three percent of respondents from areas with large mosquito populations reported taking no precautions against mosquitoes during the summer of 2002. Forty-three percent reported using mosquito repellent containing N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (ie, DEET), 30% used repellent containing citronella, and 13% reported using some other kind of repellent. Fewer than 50% of respondents living in areas with large mosquito populations reported taking each of four precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in summer 2002. Individuals who took these precautions include

* 41% who reported having removed standing water from areas where it collects, such as gutters, bird baths, and children's swimming pools;

* 32% who avoided going outdoors during peak mosquito hours;

* 30% who wore protective clothing outside; and

* 20% who repaired or replaced window screens.

A small number of respondents reported having taken other precautions, including using a bug zapper (7%) or mosquito netting (4%), neither of which has been recommended by the CDC.

Eighty-three percent of residents in areas with large mosquito populations believe that recent cases of WNV have occurred naturally compared to 10% who believe they are the result of terrorist attacks. Nationwide, 78% of respondents believed WNV cases occurred naturally compared to 12% who believe they resulted from bioterrorism.

The majority (96%) of residents in areas with large mosquito populations are aware that WNV is transmitted by mosquito bites. Additionally, 77% know the virus can be transmitted by blood transfusions, and 62% know it can be transmitted by organ transplantation. Fifty percent, however, mistakenly believe that the virus can be contracted from contact with dead birds (54%) or by drinking infected water (52%). Small percentages of respondents mistakenly believe the virus can be transmitted by shaking hands with (10%) or being in the same room with (8%) someone who has WNV.

Approximately 33% of the residents from areas with large mosquito populations are aware that there is no effective treatment for people with WNV, and 33% overestimate the number of deaths from WNV. Nineteen percent believe that one in four people with WNV die, and 14% believe that 50% of people who contract the virus will die from it. According to CDC figures, only 6% of the people who became sick from WNV in 2002 actually died of the disease.

Many Americans in High-Mosquito Areas Think Their Family Likely to Get West Nile Virus Within Next 12 Months (news re/ease, Boston: Harvard School of Public Health, Jan 13, 2003) http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/press /releases/press01132003.html.