Parents feel they are lacking information about bird flu, poll finds

Solely 43% of oldsters report they can discover correct and present data on avian influenza A(H5N1), generally often known as chicken flu, in keeping with the College of Michigan Well being C.S. Mott Kids’s Hospital National Poll on Kids’s Well being.

The survey inhabitants included 2,021 parents of youngsters aged 18 years and youthful. Whereas 43% reported they have been unable to search out correct data, one in 5 respondents mentioned the media is making too large a deal concerning the virus. Nevertheless, 41% want the federal government was doing extra to forestall an outbreak, in keeping with the survey responses.

One-third of oldsters mentioned they’ve taken motion to guard their household in opposition to chicken flu, with 22% being extra cautious about normal hygiene; 13% being extra cautious dealing with eggs, hen, and beef; 12% avoiding contact with birds and different wild animals; 10% avoiding uncooked milk; and seven% consuming fewer eggs and fewer hen and beef.

Twenty-five % of oldsters expressed severe fear about transmission between animals and people or human-to-human unfold. One-third of oldsters aren’t assured within the authorities’s capacity to include an outbreak. Solely 18% expressed excessive confidence in state or federal authorities’ capability to take away contaminated animals or merchandise from the food supply, and 22% are very assured within the authorities’s capacity to tell the general public about mandatory remembers or product disposal.

Dad and mom rely totally on information stories (78%), social media (31%), and web searches (19%) to remain knowledgeable about chicken flu. Fewer dad and mom flip to household and mates (15%), authorities businesses (11%), or health care providers (11%).

“There seems to be a spot in public confidence with regards to the nationwide response to bird flu,” Sarah Clark, M.P.H., codirector of the Mott Ballot, mentioned in a Michigan Drugs news release. “Misinformation and uncertainty can gasoline anxiousness, so it is vital that well being officers talk transparently about containment efforts and meals security to reassure households.”

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