Whereas most US survey respondents had heard of H5N1 extremely pathogenic avian flu, solely a couple of quarter knew it may possibly unfold to folks, and over half have been unaware that pasteurized milk is safer than uncooked milk, finds a examine revealed yesterday within the American Journal of Public Well being.
The survey, fielded by a CUNY Graduate Faculty of Public Well being–led group, additionally discovered that lower than one fifth of respondents understood that H5N1 has been detected in cattle, and practically a 3rd every have been unwilling to vary their weight loss program to scale back their danger of publicity to the virus or take a vaccine if it have been accessible—even when really helpful by the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
The researchers surveyed 10,000 US residents (half from rural areas) from August 5 to fifteen, 2024.
“Since spring 2024, extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has reemerged as a major risk to public well being in america,” the examine authors wrote. “Regardless of the rising dangers posed by HPAI, a regarding disconnect exists between public well being consultants’ warnings and the general public’s consciousness and response.”
Just one fourth knew that persons are in danger
Solely 26.1% of individuals knew that folks can contract H5N1, and whereas 62.3% agreed that the virus is a risk to human well being, solely 27.4% thought they have been in danger for an infection. Though practically 71.3% understood that cooking meat at excessive temperatures can kill dangerous micro organism and viruses like H5N1, 53.7% did not know that pasteurized milk—which undergoes heating to kill pathogens—is safer than uncooked milk.
With out broad public help, vaccine uptake will possible stay inadequate to stem the tide of the virus.
“This was of specific concern provided that proof from California suggests H5N1 may be present in uncooked milk,” the researchers wrote. “The state issued a current recall of contaminated uncooked milk.”
General, 27% of respondents stated they would not change their weight loss program to decrease the danger of publicity to the virus, and 28.7% stated they’d be reluctant to get vaccinated in opposition to H5N1, even when it have been really helpful by the CDC. One other 32.7% have been uncertain whether or not they would get a vaccine.
“The H5N1 virus is an actual and current hazard, and a vaccine may very well be probably the most efficient instruments for stopping additional unfold,” the authors wrote. “Nevertheless, with out broad public help, vaccine uptake will possible stay inadequate to stem the tide of the virus.”
Relative to Democrats, Republicans and Independents have been considerably much less prone to help vaccination and dietary modifications (Republican adjusted odds ratio [aOR]3.51 for vaccination and 1.56 for dietary modifications; unbiased aOR, 2.69 and 1.43, respectively).
Rural residents, who usually tend to work or dwell close to livestock operations, have been much less prone to settle for public well being measures than their city friends, together with vaccination (33.3% vs 39.8%, respectively) and dietary modifications (38.9% vs 45.8%).
“This hesitation displays broader societal tendencies through which persons are typically unwilling to change their behaviors in response to well being dangers,” the researchers famous.
Low belief in authorities
Respondents reported low ranges of belief in authorities companies such because the CDC, Meals and Drug Administration, and the US Division of Agriculture, at practically 40%. And 38.0% of respondents stated they have been mentally and emotionally exhausted by the fixed COVID-19 pandemic–associated cycle of well being warnings and modifications to each day life.
“These attitudes might pose a severe impediment to containing the virus and stopping a significant public well being disaster,” lead creator Rachael Piltch-Loeb, PhD, MSPH, stated in a CUNY information launch. “The truth that responses range considerably by political social gathering and geography emphasizes the necessity for a fastidiously segmented well being communications technique to handle the problem.”
