In a warming world, understanding extra about mosquito-borne diseases can shield the general public

The hospitalization final summer time of Dr. Anthony Fauci, former head of the Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Ailments, with West Nile virus—and his account of it this week within the New York Occasions—have helped increase public consciousness of the hazards of mosquito borne-illness, which may vary from Zika and malaria to dengue and West Nile virus.

Because the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) reviews, “Delicate winters, early springs, and hotter temperatures are giving mosquitoes and ticks extra time to breed, unfold ailments, and increase their habitats all through the US.” Pushed partially by local weather change, epidemics from mosquito-spread viruses are occurring with growing frequency.

As of Oct. 1, 880 U.S. circumstances of West Nile virus had been reported this yr, in line with the CDC, and West Nile virus continues to be the main U.S. explanation for viral illness unfold by bugs. West Nile will not be the one mosquito-borne illness making headlines. This month, California public well being officers warned of an “unprecedented” unfold of dengue fever. In August, a New Hampshire man died of Japanese equine encephalitis, or EEE. CNN summarized: “This summer time has introduced a flurry of warnings about circumstances of mosquito-borne diseases, together with malaria, dengue, and Japanese equine encephalitis.”

But only a few (15%) among the many American public fear that they or their households will contract dengue or West Nile virus over the following three months, in line with the most recent Annenberg Public Coverage Heart (APPC) well being information survey. This nationally consultant panel survey of over 1,700 U.S. adults, performed in mid- by means of late September, finds that public information about these mosquito-borne ailments and forestall them is spotty.

“As Dr. Fauci’s expertise reminds us,” stated Kathleen Corridor Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Coverage Heart and director of the survey, “you do not have to journey to unique locations to come back in touch with mosquitoes in a position to trigger severe sickness. They might be lurking in your personal yard.”

Methods of contracting dengue fever and West Nile virus

Contaminated mosquito (sure): Individuals can grow to be contaminated with dengue fever or West Nile virus by the chunk of an contaminated Aedes mosquito. Almost three-quarters (74%) of these surveyed know that it’s by means of this vector that scientists suppose it’s seemingly one will be contaminated with these viruses.

Sneezing and coughing (no): Many individuals are unsure about whether or not scientists suppose somebody can grow to be contaminated with dengue fever or West Nile Virus from being sneezed or coughed on by somebody who’s contaminated with the viruses. Individuals don’t get contaminated this fashion, the CDC says, however solely a 3rd (34%) say scientists suppose it’s unlikely individuals can get it this fashion. 1 / 4 (26%) think–incorrectly–that scientists consider it is a approach to grow to be contaminated and 39% usually are not positive.

Data of West Nile virus signs

Regardless of the discovering that most individuals know one can grow to be contaminated with dengue fever or West Nile virus by way of a mosquito chunk, many are unaware of the signs of West Nile virus. When offered with a listing of signs, each true and never, effectively beneath half chosen the signs of West Nile virus recognized by the CDC.

The chances of people that selected these CDC-identified signs of West Nile virus:

• 42% fever
• 37% muscle and joint ache
• 36% headache
• 29% nausea and vomiting
• 22% rash

The chances who incorrectly selected these, which aren’t signs of West Nile virus:

• 28% dizziness or lightheadedness
• 11% agency, spherical, painless sore

Beliefs about contracting dengue fever and West Nile virus

Scientists are utilizing genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes to manage the mosquito inhabitants in elements of the world, together with Brazil, Panama, and India. These GM mosquitoes are produced in order that the feminine offspring don’t survive into maturity, limiting the scale of the inhabitants and serving to to reduce the unfold of mosquito-borne diseases.

In our survey, few respondents (16%) consider that genetically modified mosquitoes have brought on dengue fever outbreaks, whereas 36% accurately know that is false and 48% usually are not positive. Extra individuals consider genetically modified mosquitoes might be useful in minimizing the unfold of dengue viruses: 36% say this assertion is true and 16% say it’s false. As with the detrimental results of the genetically modified mosquito, 48% usually are not positive whether or not that is true or false.

In accordance with the CDC, the Aedes mosquito, which carries the dengue virus, will not be present in each state within the continental United States. Almost 4 in 10 individuals (38%), nonetheless, incorrectly consider that these mosquitoes will be present in each state of the continental United States. Greater than a fifth (22%) accurately say that assertion is fake and 40% usually are not positive.

Stopping dengue and West Nile virus

Almost 8 in 10 (79%) accurately consider that one of the best protection towards dengue and West Nile virus is by stopping mosquito bites and controlling mosquitoes in or across the dwelling, whereas 17% % usually are not positive, and 4% % consider that assertion to be false.

Antiviral remedy

Presently there is no such thing as a antiviral remedy for dengue fever or West Nile virus. Solely a few quarter (23%) know that is true, 15% consider it to be false, and most (62%) usually are not positive.

Taking precautions towards mosquito bites

The CDC advises people to take steps to guard themselves from mosquito bites that may make them sick. In our survey, about 6 in 10 individuals (59%) say they routinely take precautions to keep away from getting mosquito bites at any time of yr—considerably fewer than the roughly two-thirds (67%) who stated so in an APPC survey performed in the summertime of 2016 through the Zika outbreak. Over a 3rd in the present day (37%) say they don’t routinely take precautions.

Amongst those that say they routinely take such precautions in the present day, we requested every to point what they do from a listing of actions:

• The precaution which most say they take to keep away from getting mosquito bites is to take away standing water (80%), adopted by sporting insect repellent (72%). Each percentages are unchanged from once we beforehand requested about them, in July 2016.
• Seven in 10 (70%) keep away from actions or areas that will convey them in touch with mosquitoes, a big improve from the 63% who stated this in July 2016.
• 64% say they routinely exchange or restore window screens, unchanged from July 2016.
• 57% say they put on long-sleeved shirts or different protecting clothes outdoor, considerably larger than the 52% who reported doing this in July 2016.
• Few (12%) routinely use mosquito netting, about the identical as July 2016.

Making use of insect repellent on high of sunscreen

Insect repellent is without doubt one of the main methods to forestall mosquito bites, however when exterior within the solar, it is usually vital to use sunscreen to guard towards dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays. We requested respondents what the CDC recommends as the right approach to apply each insect repellent and sunscreen collectively.

Usually, about 3 in 10 respondents (29%) accurately know that the CDC recommends that one ought to placed on sunscreen and let it dry earlier than placing on insect repellent. Only a few (5%) say that the CDC recommends the other (insect repellent first, then sunscreen) and 16% suppose the CDC steerage is that it doesn’t matter wherein order you placed on sunscreen and mosquito repellent, however it’s best to use each if you’re in an space with mosquitoes. Each of those responses contradict what the CDC advises. Half (50%) usually are not positive what the CDC advises on this.

Making use of insect repellent on uncovered pores and skin, not beneath clothes

The CDC advises individuals to not apply insect repellent on the pores and skin beneath their clothes. Simply 13% know that that is what the CDC recommends. Almost half in complete both say that the CDC recommends that folks put insect repellent on their physique after which put garments on over the areas protected by the repellent (19%) or that the CDC says it doesn’t matter whether or not you place repellent beneath your clothes (29%) however one ought to use insect repellent if they’re in an space with mosquitoes. 4 in 10 (39%) usually are not positive what the CDC recommends concerning this.

Forgoing insect repellent on younger infants

Simply over half of respondents (52%) point out, accurately, that the CDC recommends that insect repellent shouldn’t be used on infants youthful than 2 months previous, however quite they need to be wearing clothes that covers their legs and arms and place mosquito netting over their cribs, strollers, and child carriers. Beneath half (45%) say they don’t seem to be positive of the CDC suggestion for making use of insect repellent to an toddler. Three % incorrectly suppose the CDC recommends that insect repellent can be utilized on infants youthful than 2 months previous, which the CDC doesn’t suggest.

Utilizing an EPA-registered insect repellent

The CDC recommends that folks search for an insect repellent that’s registered with the EPA—a undeniable fact that simply over 1 in 5 individuals (21%) know. Almost a 3rd of these (29%) surveyed suppose that the CDC’s suggestion on insect repellents is to make use of a product with over 50% DEET, whereas 6% suppose the CDC says to search for an insect repellent that claims it’s pure. A plurality (43%) will not be positive what the CDC recommends on this query.

DEET is the energetic ingredient in lots of insect repellents. Whereas merchandise with larger concentrations of DEET might last more, the CDC says merchandise containing 50% or extra DEET present no higher safety than these with a lesser focus of DEET.

The survey information comes from the twenty first wave of a nationally consultant panel of 1,744 U.S. adults performed for the Annenberg Public Coverage Heart by SSRS, an unbiased market analysis firm. Most have been empaneled since April 2021. To account for attrition, small replenishment samples have been added over time utilizing a random chance sampling design.

The latest replenishment, in September 2024, added 360 respondents to the pattern. This wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Well being Data (ASAPH) survey was fielded Sept. 13-22 and Sept. 26-30, 2024. The margin of sampling error (MOE) is ± 3.5 proportion factors on the 95% confidence stage. All figures are rounded to the closest entire quantity and will not add to 100%. Mixed subcategories might not add to totals within the topline and textual content as a consequence of rounding.

The info evaluation for this information launch was performed by Ken Winneg, Ph.D., APPC’s managing director of survey analysis.

Along with Jamieson and Winneg, the Annenberg Public Coverage Heart group on the Annenberg Science and Public Well being (ASAPH) information survey contains APPC information analysts Laura Gibson, Ph.D., and Shawn Patterson Jr., Ph.D., and Patrick E. Jamieson, Ph.D., director of APPC’s Annenberg Well being and Threat Communication Institute.