Most Americans are aware that Zika is primarily transmitted by mosquitos, and many know that pregnant women are most at risk. But there is a fair amount of misinformation about other ways the virus spreads and how it affects developing fetuses, according to a new poll.
Here are seven findings from the poll, conducted by Health Day and Harris Poll:
- 74 percent of respondents were at least somewhat familiar with Zika virus.
- 76 percent of respondents were aware that being bitten by a mosquito is the primary method of virus transmission.
- 45 percent of respondents were aware that the virus could be sexually transmitted.
- 17 percent of respondents were not at all sure how the virus is transmitted.
- 84 percent of respondents were aware that pregnant women had the highest risk of serious problems in conjunction with infection.
- 30 percent of respondents were not at all sure what health problems Zika virus causes.
- 57 percent of respondents were aware babies born to infected pregnant women were at risk of brain damage.