Avian Influenza On People’s Minds
This press release summarizes the findings from a nationwide study of the attitudes, knowledge, intentions, and behaviors of the public concerning the threat of avian influenza (bird flu).
Most Americans have heard of or are aware of the H5N1 avian influenza, but many did not know that there are no cases in humans or animals in the United States. Americans perceive the risk of infection as low and do not associate it with a high degree of worry. They view the chicken supply as safe and continue to consume chicken products.
Also, many consider there to be a higher risk of bird flu to other individuals besides themselves. This perception presents a barrier to getting messages about the disease across to the general public.
According to this study, most Americans do not have sufficient knowledge to make informed choices about the purchase of chicken products, should an outbreak of the avian influenza occur. Specifically, these findings show:
- Two-thirds of Americans are aware that most chicken consumed in the U.S. is produced domestically and that poultry products from countries with outbreaks are prohibited from importation.
- Few believe that live chickens contaminated with the virus are easily identifiable from healthy chickens.
- About 40% believe that that proper cooking kills the avian flu virus and that it is not transferable to humans from consuming diseased chickens.
- If the virus was found to be present in U.S. chickens, 40% of Americans would stop eating chicken altogether.
60% of Americans own a cooking thermometer and 12% always use it when cooking chicken.
Loss of confidence in the safety of chicken would result in rising costs of other types of meat (“proteins”), resulting in an overall increase in food costs of the typical American family.
Factors of U.S. farming practices that would significantly reduce the risk of bird flu within the food supply include:
- Farming is conducted in tightly controlled environments.
- Industry is aware of a potential outbreak and is working with the USDA in taking proper precautions to prevent an outbreak.
- Symptoms are easy to identify in infected chickens.
The USDA reports that per capita consumption of chicken is 86 pounds.