BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen with current epidemic transmission in the Western Hemisphere. Almost half (47%) of Indiana’s 52 ZIKV cases in 2015 and 2016 were associated with travel to the Caribbean. ZIKV is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, but can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby and from an infected person to his or her sex partners. ZIKV can cause severe neurologic birth defects in children born to infected mothers. We conducted a survey to assess the knowledge of Indiana residents.
METHODS: A five-question survey was administered to a convenience sample at a community health fair that was sponsored by the local professional football team. Participants were asked to identify potential health outcomes, transmission routes, geographic areas of current transmission, and prevention measures for ZIKV infection. After survey completion, participants were provided with an informational pamphlet on ZIKV.
RESULTS: A total of 165 participants completed the survey. Nearly all participants correctly responded that the bite of an infected mosquito could result in ZIKV infection (159; 95%) and that avoiding mosquito bites could prevent ZIKV infection (151; 92%). Most (133; 81%) also correctly identified birth defects as possible consequences of ZIKV infection. Less than half (73; 44%) of participants responded that ZIKV could be transmitted through sexual activity, and 75 (46%) also responded that practicing safe sex could prevent ZIKV infection. Less than half (63; 38%) knew that ZIKV transmission was currently occurring in the Caribbean. The most commonly reported sources of information regarding ZIKV were news media (104; 64%) and social media (82; 50%).
CONCLUSIONS: Survey participants were aware that ZIKV is a mosquito-borne disease and that it can cause birth defects, suggesting that public health messaging on these topics has been successful. Fewer participants were aware that ZIKV can be transmitted through sexual activity, indicating that additional messaging on transmission routes is needed. The lack of awareness of ZIKV transmission in the Caribbean is troubling, given that half of Indiana’s cases have been associated with travel to this region. Future public educational campaigns on ZIKV should target news and social media outlets with focused messaging on transmission routes and the current geographical distribution of ZIKV transmission.