02765nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001260003100042653001200073653001900085653001400104653001500118653001300133653001300146100001300159700001300172700001300185700001500198700001300213700001400226700001400240245013700254856008800391300000900479520197400488022002502462       2025                            d  bNational Library of Serbia10aClimate10aGlobal warming10aKnowledge10aPerception10aPortugal10aZoonoses1 aPontes D1 aLopes AP1 aMateus T1 aLoureiro F1 aAfonso P1 aCardoso L1 aCoelho AC00aClimate change and vector-borne zoonoses: Insights from a cross-sectional study on perceptions, knowledge, and practices in Portugal  uhttps://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-2457/2025%20OnLine-First/0350-24572500014P.pdf  a1-193 a<jats:p>Climate change is regarded as a critical issue for public health. Each year,
   its impact on human and animal health becomes increasingly evident as the
   risk of zoonosis transmission is exacerbated by extreme weather events and
   the movement of vectors into new areas. These changes are causing extensive
   consequences, affecting human health, the environment, and the global
   economy. Therefore, collective action is considered essential to mitigate
   the effects of climate change and safeguard public health for future
   generations. This study investigates the perceptions, knowledge, and
   practices of Portuguese citizens concerning vector-borne zoonoses and their
   connection to climate change.  A descriptive cross-sectional study was
   carried out by distributing a survey to 147 individuals.  The findings
   indicated that, on average, 80% of participants were aware of zoonoses, with
   the least recognised vector-borne zoonoses identified as the chikungunya
   virus and West Nile virus. Approximately 93% of the study population
   reported that they perceived temperatures in the warmer months have risen
   each year, with more than half of the participants noting an increase in the
   prevalence of vectors in the country during these months in recent years.
   Additionally, the results demonstrated that the majority of participants,
   about 93%, believed that veterinarians provided inadequate information
   regarding vector-borne zoonoses. The findings further revealed that the
   sampled population was unprepared for the realities increasingly faced in
   Europe and Portugal, with only 42% of participants reporting the use of
   preventive measures, such as repellents, against vectors. Consequently,
   there is a need for enhanced education and awareness campaigns, as well as a
   more proactive role from veterinarians in disseminating information and
   prevention strategies.</jats:p>  a0350-2457, 2406-0771