Americans Don't Really Understand The Zika Virus

A new Harvard poll has found that the majority of Americans are misinformed about the risks of Zika virus, and sizable minority mistakenly believe that Zika virus is transmitted by coughing and sneezing. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-03/htcs-mif032416.php About one in five (22%) are not aware that Zika virus can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy and more than a quarter (29%) are unaware it can be transmitted through blood transfusions, Harvard researchers said in a press release. Four in 10 (40%) are unaware that it can be transmitted sexually. About a third (31%) believe, incorrectly, that Zika virus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing, the release added. Related Link: http://www.benzinga.com/general/biotech/16/01/6180568/stocks-to-play-in-a-zika-virus-pandemic The poll also found that four in 10 (39%) mistakenly believe Zika virus infection in women likely to harm future pregnancies. The research also found that nearly three-quarters of the public (71%) are unaware of a link between Zika virus and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can cause paralysis. The Harvard poll was conducted on 1,275 adults, including 105 who live in households where someone is pregnant or considering getting pregnant in the next 12 months. According to WHO, Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. However, sexual transmission of Zika virus has been described in 2 cases, and the presence of the Zika virus in semen in 1 additional case. The agency noted that Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively), and in 2015 from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cabo Verde). In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/zika/en/