Awareness of West Nile Virus and Zoonotic Disease Transmission among Residents of Northern Cyprus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause severe neurological disease in humans, making public awareness cru­cial for prevention. The study aims to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of individuals living in Northern Cyprus regarding sources and transmission routes of this disease.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 389 people participated. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed by researchers. The survey included questions about participants' awareness, sources of information, knowledge of WNV transmission routes, and preventive measures. It was conducted face-to-face. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data, and results were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square tests assessed p-values and significance.
Results: 80.1% of participants had never heard of zoonotic diseases. When asked about the transmission route of WNV, 59.7% correctly identified animal or insect bites as the mode of transmission. In terms of precautions, 60.7% reported taking measures such as window screens and bed nets to protect from mosquito bites, while 39.3% did not. As hypothe­sized, a significant association was shown between nationality and knowledge of zoonotic disease (p=0.026). In addi­tion, gender was significantly associated with preventive measures (p=0.008), with females more likely to show protec­tive behaviors compared to males.
Conclusion: Results indicate a general lack of awareness about zoonotic diseases among the population of Northern Cyprus; however, a larger proportion reported taking personal precautions against mosquito bites. The Ministry of Health can organize training sessions and seminars to increase public awareness about WNV. Additionally, municipali­ties should take mosquito and larval control measures, particularly in summer.