Relationships between exposure, knowledge, and concern in regards to a rat zoonotic disease as determined by a survey of Chicago Residents.

The threat of increased human and rat population density coupled with the high probability of flooding, based on future climate predictions, could put the Chicago Metropolitan area at risk for a Leptospirosis outbreak. Understanding the relationship between residents\u27 knowledge, concern, and exposure to rat-associated diseases can help monitor and mitigate at-risk behavior that increases the likelihood of spillover events. Using survey data from The Chicago Rat Project, partners with the Lincoln Park Zoo, this study identifies residents\u27 lack of knowledge surrounding Leptospirosis is independent of possible exposure risk or concern regarding rat zoonotic diseases