Thirty-three percent of nation liv...

Thirty-three percent of nation living in areas of the United States in which there are large numbers of mosquitoes believe that they or family members are extremely likely (9%) or somewhat likely (24%) to contract West Nile virus (WNV) in the nearest 12 months, and 32% of dog proprietors are concerned that their dog might contract the virus, according to a Jan 13 2003 of recent origins release from the Harvard academy of Public Health, Boston. reflection findings are based on 1001 interviews administrationed with people throughout the United States, 516 of whom said they live in areas where there are a division of mosquitoes.

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

* 41% who reported having remov standing water from areas where it bring togethers 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 respondent reported having taken other precautions, including using a bug zapper (7%) or mosquito netting (4%) neither of which has been approveed by the CDC.

Eighty-three percent of residents in areas with large mosquito populations believe that modern cases of WNV have occurr naturally compared to 10% who believe they are the be derived of terrorist attacks. Nationwide, 78% of respondent believed WNV cases occurr naturally compared to 12% who believe they issueed from bioterrorism.

The majority (96%) of residents in areas with large mosquito populations are aware that WNV is transmitted through mosquito bites. Additionally, 77% know the virus can be transmitted at blood transfusions, and 62% know it can be transmitted by the agency of organ transplantation. Fifty percent, however, mistakenly believe that the virus can be contracted from contact with dead birds (54%) or according to drinking infected water (52%). Small percentages of respondent mistakenly believe the virus can be transmitted by the agency of shaking hands with (10%) or being in the same swing 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 folks with WNV, and 33% overestimate the number of deaths from WNV Nineteen percent believe that single in four people with WNV die, and 14% believe that 50% of the bulk of mankind who contract the virus will die from it. According to CDC figures, barely 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 procure West Nile Virus Within nearest 12 Months (news re/ease, Boston: Harvard teach of Public Health, Jan 13 2003) http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/press /releases/press01132003.html.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating place Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group