In a warming world, the public needs to know more about protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases.

As of Oct. 1, 880 cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the United States this year, according to the CDC, and West Nile virus remains the leading U.S. cause of viral disease spread by insects. West Nile isn't the only mosquito-borne disease making headlines. California public health officials warned this month of an “unprecedented” spread of dengue fever. In August, a New Hampshire man died from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). CNN summarized, “This summer has seen a flurry of warnings about mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue fever and eastern equine encephalitis.''

However, according to the latest Health Knowledge Survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC), more Americans are worried that they or their family members will contract dengue fever or West Nile virus in the next three months. Very few (15%). This nationally representative panel survey of more than 1,700 U.S. adults conducted in mid-to-late September found that public knowledge about these mosquito-borne diseases and how to prevent them is inadequate. did.

“As Dr. Fauci's experience reminds us, exposure to mosquitoes that can cause serious illness, There's no need to travel to exotic places.” They may be lurking in your backyard. ”

Transmission routes of dengue fever and West Nile virus

infected mosquito (Yes): You can get dengue fever or West Nile virus if you are bitten by an infected person. Aedes mosquito. Almost three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed know that scientists believe they are more likely to contract these viruses through this fomite.

sneezing or coughing (No): Many people are unsure whether scientists think it is possible to spread dengue fever or West Nile virus by sneezing or coughing from someone who is infected with the virus. The CDC says people can't get infected this way, but only one-third (34%) say scientists think it's unlikely people can get infected this way. Ta. A quarter (26%) incorrectly think that scientists believe this is how it is transmitted, and 39% are not sure.

Knowledge about West Nile virus symptoms

Although most people know that mosquito bites can transmit dengue fever and West Nile virus, many people do not know about the symptoms of West Nile virus. When presented with a list of symptoms, both true and false, far fewer than half chose the West Nile virus symptoms identified by the CDC.

Percentage of people who selected West Nile virus symptoms identified by the CDC:

• 42% fever
• 37% Muscle and joint pain
• 36% headache
• 29% nausea and vomiting
• 22% rash

Percentage of people who incorrectly selected these as not symptoms of West Nile Virus:

• 28% dizziness or lightheadedness
• 11% Hard, round, painless pain

Beliefs about dengue fever and West Nile virus transmission

Scientists are using genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to control mosquito populations in parts of the world, including Brazil, Panama, and India. These GM mosquitoes are produced so that their female offspring do not survive to adulthood, helping to limit population size and minimize the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

In our survey, very few respondents (16%) believed that genetically modified mosquitoes are infectious. caused Regarding the dengue fever outbreak, 36% correctly know this is false and 48% are unsure. A growing number of people believe that genetically modified mosquitoes could help minimize the spread of the dengue virus. 36% say this statement is true and 16% say it is false. Similar to the negative effects of genetically modified mosquitoes, 48% are unsure whether this is true or false.

According to the CDC: Aedes Mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus are not found in all states in the continental United States. However, nearly four in 10 people (38%) incorrectly believe these mosquitoes can be found in every state in the continental United States. More than a fifth (22%) correctly answered that the statement was false, and 40% were unsure.

• Dengue fever and West Nile virus prevention: Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) correctly believe that the best protection against dengue fever and West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites and control mosquitoes in and around the home. , 17% percent are not sure and 4% percent believe the statement is true. Be false.
• Antiviral treatment: Currently, there are no antiviral treatments for dengue fever or West Nile virus. Only about a quarter (23%) know this to be true, 15% believe it is false and most (62%) are not sure.

Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites

The CDC advises individuals to take steps to avoid mosquito bites that can cause illness. In our survey, nearly 6 in 10 people (59%) said they take daily precautions to avoid mosquito bites at any time of the year. This is significantly lower than the approximately two-thirds (67%) who said so in a survey conducted by APPC. In the summer of 2016, the Zika virus was prevalent. More than a third (37%) now say they don't take precautions on a daily basis.

Among those who said they were currently taking such precautions on a daily basis, we asked each person to indicate what they were doing from a list of actions.

• The preventative measures most people take to avoid mosquito bites are removing standing water (80%), followed by wearing insect repellent (72%). Both percentages have remained unchanged since the last time we asked the question in July 2016.
• Seven in 10 people (70%) avoid activities and places where they come into contact with mosquitoes, a significant increase from 63% who said so in July 2016.
• 64% say they regularly replace or repair their window screens, unchanged since July 2016.
• 57% said they wear long-sleeved shirts or other protective clothing outdoors, which is significantly higher than the 52% who reported doing so in July 2016.
• Very few people (12%) used bed nets on a daily basis, which was about the same as in July 2016.

Apply insect repellent over sunscreen

Insect repellent is one of the main ways to avoid mosquito bites, but if you're outdoors in the sun, it's also important to wear sunscreen to protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. We asked respondents what the CDC recommends as the appropriate way to apply insect repellent and sunscreen together.

In general, about 3 in 10 (29%) respondents correctly know that the CDC recommends applying sunscreen, letting it dry, and then applying insect repellent. Most (5%) say the CDC recommends doing the opposite (insect repellent first, then sunscreen), and 16% say CDC guidance recommends using sunscreen and mosquito repellent. The order in which you paint them doesn't matter, but I think you should use both. If you are in an area with mosquitoes. Both of these answers contradict CDC advice. Half (50%) are not sure what advice the CDC has on this.

Apply insect repellent to exposed skin, not under clothing

The CDC advises people not to apply insect repellent to the skin under clothing. Only 13% of people know this is a CDC recommendation. Nearly half of the total said that the CDC recommends that people apply insect repellent to their bodies and then put clothing over the area protected by the repellent (19%); or states that it doesn't matter whether you apply mothballs under your clothes or not. (29%) However, if you are in an area with mosquitoes, you should use insect repellent. Four in 10 (39%) are not sure what the CDC recommends in this regard.

Avoid using insect repellent for young children

Just over half of respondents (52%) agree that the CDC recommends that infants under 2 months of age should not be treated with insect repellents, should wear clothing that covers their arms and legs, and should have mosquito nets installed. It shows that correctly. From above cribs, strollers, and baby carriers. Less than half (45%) say they are unsure about the CDC's recommendations for applying insect repellents to infants. 3% incorrectly believe that the CDC recommends that repellents can be used on infants under 2 months of age, which the CDC does not recommend.

Use EPA-registered insect repellents

The CDC recommends people look for insect repellents that are EPA-registered, but just over one in five people (21%) know this fact. Almost one-third (29%) of those surveyed believe the CDC's recommended insect repellent is to use products containing at least 50% DEET, and 6% believe the CDC is a natural ingredient. I believe that the instructions are to look for insect repellents that will protect against insects. Many (43%) say they don't know what the CDC recommends on this question.

DEET is an active ingredient in many insect repellents. Although products with higher concentrations of DEET may last longer, the CDC states that products containing 50% or more DEET are no more protective than products containing lower concentrations of DEET. Masu.