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

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.