McCarthy T A, Hadler J L, Julian K, Walsh S J, Biggerstaff B J, Hinten S R, Baisley C, Iton A, Brennan T, Nelson R S, Achambault G, Marfin A A, Petersen L R
Epidemic Intelligence Service, assigned to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Dec;951:307-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb02706.x.
West Nile virus (WNV) can cause large outbreaks of febrile illness and severe neurologic disease. This study estimates the seroprevalence of WNV infection and assesses risk perception and practices regarding potential exposures to mosquitoes of persons in an area with intense epizootics in 1999 and 2000. A serosurvey of persons aged > or = 12 years was conducted in southwestern Connecticut during October 10-15, 2000, using household-based stratified cluster sampling. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding concern for and personal measures taken with respect to WNV and provided a blood sample for WNV testing. Seven hundred thirty persons from 645 households participated. No person tested positive for WNV (95% CI: 0-0.5%). Overall, 44% of persons used mosquito repellent, 56% practiced > or = two personal precautions to avoid mosquitoes, and 61% of households did > or = two mosquito-source reduction activities. In multivariate analyses, using mosquito repellent was associated with age < 50 years, using English as the primary language in the home, being worried about WNV, being a little worried about pesticides, and finding mosquitoes frequently in the home (P<0.05). Females (OR = 2.0; CI = 1.2-2.9) and persons very worried about WNV (OR = 3.8; CI = 2.2-6.5) were more likely to practice > or = two personal precautions. Taking > or = two mosquito source reductions was associated with persons with English as the primary language (OR = 2.0; CI = 1.1-3.5) and finding a dead bird on the property (OR = 1.8; CI = 1.1-2.8). An intense epizootic can occur in an area without having a high risk for infection to humans. A better understanding of why certain people do not take personal protective measures, especially among those aged > or = 50 years and those whose primary language is not English, might be needed if educational campaigns are to prevent future WNV outbreaks.
西尼罗河病毒（WNV）可引发高热疾病和严重神经疾病的大规模暴发。本研究估算了WNV感染的血清流行率，并评估了1999年和2000年在一个动物疫情严重地区人们对潜在蚊虫叮咬风险的认知及相关行为。2000年10月10日至15日，采用基于家庭的分层整群抽样方法，对康涅狄格州西南部年龄大于或等于12岁的人群进行了血清学调查。参与者完成了一份关于对WNV的担忧及采取的个人防护措施的问卷，并提供血样进行WNV检测。来自645个家庭的730人参与了调查。无人WNV检测呈阳性（95%可信区间：0 - 0.5%）。总体而言，44%的人使用驱蚊剂，56%的人采取了两种或更多个人防护措施来避免蚊虫叮咬，61%的家庭开展了两种或更多减少蚊虫滋生源头的活动。在多变量分析中，使用驱蚊剂与年龄小于50岁、在家中以英语为主要语言、担心WNV、有点担心杀虫剂以及家中经常发现蚊子有关（P<0.05）。女性（比值比=2.0；可信区间=1.2 - 2.9）和非常担心WNV的人（比值比=3.8；可信区间=2.2 - 6.5）更有可能采取两种或更多个人防护措施。采取两种或更多减少蚊虫滋生源头的措施与以英语为主要语言的人（比值比=2.0；可信区间=1.1 - 3.5）以及在房产处发现死鸟有关（比值比=1.8；可信区间=1.1 - 2.8）。在一个地区可能出现严重的动物疫情，但对人类而言感染风险并不高。如果开展教育活动以预防未来WNV暴发，可能需要更好地了解为何某些人不采取个人防护措施，尤其是年龄大于或等于50岁以及母语不是英语的人群。
