Megan L. Peery, College of William and Mary, CSU# 3422, P.O. Box 8793, Williamsburg, VA 23186, 757-221-6052, mlpeer@wm.edu, Anna Mandalakas, MD, MS, Pediatrics, University Hospital Health Systems, 11000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, Christopher Kippes, MS, Division of Community Health Services, The Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 5550 Venture Drive, Parma, OH 44130, and Joseph Lynch, RS, Environmental Health Division, The Cuyahoga County Board of Health, 5550 Venture Drive, Parma, OH 44130.

Introduction: Following the 2002 West Nile Virus (WNV) epidemic, residents of Cuyahoga County, Ohio were encouraged by local health officials to reduce the number of mosquito breeding sites in their yards. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of breeding site reduction in areas with previously high human and mosquito WNV infection rates. Methods: Ecologic and mosquito related factors were used to determine areas of “high risk” for WNV infection. Outdoor yards were evaluated using a checklist while personal control behaviors were assessed using a survey. Mosquitoes were trapped for 24-hour period 3-5 days prior to conducting the survey in that site. The areas were divided into two groups, above/below the county average for mosquito counts obtained during the same time period. Associations between these groups were assessed using chi-square analysis (p < 0.01). Results: During July 2003, 325 surveys were collected from the selected sites. Although 97% of surveyed residents replied they remove objects that could hold water, garbage cans and toys were present among 23% and 16% of the yards, respectively. Significant differences between the areas with above/below average mosquito counts were found in the following factors: residences with swimming pools, driveway drains, and outdoor garbage containers. Conclusions: Public health officials must continue to educate the public on potential breeding sites e.g. objects that collect water. While most individuals report removing such objects, observational surveys suggest that these reports are not consist with actual preventive behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• -Quantify the household breeding site reduction measures employed by residents.
• -Correlate the use of mosquito breeding site reduction measures and the mosquito frequency in the surrounding area.
• -Provide one-on-one public education intervention to residents in cities at risk for high human and mosquito West Nile Virus infection rates.

Keywords: West Nile Encephalitis, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.