Only half of Americans protect against mosquito-transmitted diseases
FAIRFAX, Va. - West Nile Virus is top of mind among Americans when it comes to transferrable diseases by mosquito bite, but less than 10% know about dengue and chikungunya, according to a survey released Monday by the National Pest Management Association.
“Despite their general awareness of mosquito-transmitted disease, only about half of the population uses mosquito repellent, and even fewer implement other crucial prevention methods,” stated Cindy Mannes, VP public affairs for NPMA. “With mosquito activity at its peak, we encourage the public to take steps to protect themselves and their families from coming into contact with these pests.”
When it comes to prevention techniques, NPMA found 59% of Americans use mosquito repellent to protect themselves and family members from mosquitoes; 42% install screens on windows and doors; 41% remove and clean up areas of standing water around properties; women (36%) are more likely than men (26%) to avoid going out during peak mosquito hours of dusk and dawn; and less than one quarter of the population (23%) avoids extended periods of time outdoors.
Although West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease transmitted in the U.S., there are several others transmitted within the country and/or diagnosed in travelers who become infected while abroad. The threat of new viruses being brought in and transmitted in the country is real, as evidenced last year when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded the first-ever cases of mosquitoes spreading chikungunya within the continental U.S.
The NPMA found the following in its July 2015 survey:
When asked about mosquito-borne diseases, 78% of Americans are aware that West Nile Virus is found in the U.S., while only 9% each say that chikungunya and dengue are found in the U.S.;
According to the CDC, as of Aug. 4, 2015, there have been 90 reported human cases of West Nile Virus and 3 fatal cases reported in Arizona, California and Texas, a number that is expected to climb through the season. There were more than 2,000 human cases reported to the CDC’s ArboNET in both 2013 and 2014, and since 2009 there have been more than 41,000 human cases reported and 1,765 deaths;
The CDC also reports a total of 265 chikungunya virus disease cases from 36 U.S. states, with all reported cases occurring in travelers returning from affected areas. In 2014 there were several locally-transmitted cases in Florida; and
According to the CDC, most dengue cases in the U.S. occur among residents of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Samoa and Guam.