Widespread public misconception in the early phase of the H1N1 influenza epidemic

Lau, Joseph T. F.; Griffiths, Siân; Choi, Kai Chow; Tsui, Hi Yi

doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2009.06.004

Cited by 133 publications

(178 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Several studies have investigated public perceptions about the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 (Goodwin et al, 2009;Lau et al, 2009;Dhand et al, 2011;Lau et al, 2011); however, limited information is available on pig producers' perceptions and experiences (Goodwin et al, 2011). This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the height of the outbreak in the human population in Australia and before the virus was reported for the first time in an Australian piggery in July 2009 (OIE, 2009b;Holyoake et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although no link between an animal and the first human cases has been established (Vallat, 2009), the disease was named 'swine influenza' or 'swine flu' from the start of the outbreak. This, together with the lack of available information on the epidemiology of the disease and the excessive and sometimes ill-informed media coverage, caused public misconceptions about the transmission of H1N1 to humans (Lau et al, 2009(Lau et al, , 2011Dhand et al, 2011). Public perceptions on the H1N1/09 outbreak and the transmission of the virus have been previously investigated (Goodwin et al, 2009;Lau et al, 2009;Dhand et al, 2011;Lau et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pig producers’ perceptions of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 outbreak and its effect on their biosecurity practices in Australia

Hernández‐Jover

Taylor

Holyoake³

et al. 2012

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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Abstract:The Influenza Pandemic (H1N1/09) virus was first reported in humans in Mexico in April 2009 and a pandemic level was declared on 11 th of June 2009 by the World Health Organization (Chan, 2009; WHO, 2009a). Public misconceptions about the transmission of H1N1/09 were caused by the inadequate naming of the disease as 'swine influenza'. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the height of the outbreak in the Australian human population and before the virus was reported in the first piggery in Australia in July 2009 (OIE, 2009b;Holyoake et al., 2011). The aims of this study were to evaluate pig producers' perceptions about the virus and the outbreak financial impact and influence on on-farm biosecurity practices. A questionnaire was designed and posted to Australian Pork Limited (APL) members (n = 460), obtaining responses from 182 producers (39.6%). Pig producers had good general knowledge on potential transmission pathways for H1N1/09 between people, with direct or close contact with a sick person perceived as the most likely pathways. Changes on biosecurity practices, such as asking visitors if they had recently been overseas (27.8%) and not allowing any visitor to inspect their pigs (18.3%), were reported among respondents. In addition, approximately 40% of producers asked their employees to notify flu like symptoms, consulted a veterinarian on H1N1/09 and visited websites to seek information on H1N1/09. A higher adoption of these practices was observed among large (> 100 sows) than small herds. Only 2.9% of 2 | P a g e respondents reported a reduction in pig sales during the outbreak. However, approximately one third of producers reported being financially and emotionally stressed, 38.2% were distressed about the health of their pigs and 16.7% about their own health. The most important sources of information were APL (93%), veterinarians (89%) and the state Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (75%). The first two considered the most trusted sources of information. Television, radio and other farmers were considered more important sources of information by small herds and veterinarians by larger herds. Producers believed that the H1N1/09 outbreak was better managed by the pork industry (89.9%) than by the health authorities (58.8%), and the on-going communication with APL was the main strength of the outbreak management. Communication and extension programs in future outbreaks should consider the needs of all sectors of the pig industry to increase their effectiveness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pig producers’ perceptions of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 outbreak and its effect on their biosecurity practices in Australia

Hernández‐Jover

Taylor

Holyoake³

et al. 2012

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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“…These actions were in agreement with those reported in similar hypothetical studies and recorded behaviors in the face of an epidemic. A survey of public health professionals in Hong Kong (Lau et al 2009) indicated that around 10-15% of the respondents were avoiding visiting crowded places.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, attitude and practice of El-Minia university students towards pandemic H1N1, Egypt, 2009

Kamal

Seedhom

2011

J Public Health

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Aim This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of El-Minia university students regarding H1N1 and its preventive measures. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,312 students of El-Minia University chosen by a stratified systematic random sample in the period from 5 October to 11 November, 2009. A questionnaire about knowledge, attitudes and practice towards H1N1 was completed by students. The statistical Program SPSS for Windows version 11 had been used in analysis. Results 60.2% of students answered <4 questions correctly and 39.8% answered ≥4 correctly. Increase in the level of knowledge was associated with more willingness to comply with home isolation (p<0.001). 87.7% of students carried out one or more of recommended behaviors in the past 4 days. Conclusion The results support efforts to inform students about specific actions that can reduce the risks from swine flu.

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“…Research conducted in the early stages of the H1N1/09 pandemic in Hong Kong (Lau et al, 2009) found evidence of widespread public misconceptions about transmission of H1N1/09. These misconceptions included 6.9% of respondents believing the virus could be contracted by eating well-cooked pork, 25.3% believing it could be contracted from insect bites, and 39.5% believing it could be contracted from water sources, such as rivers and reservoirs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public perceptions of the transmission of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 from pigs and pork products in Australia

Dhand

Hernández‐Jover

Taylor

et al. 2011

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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Widespread public misconception in the early phase of the H1N1 influenza epidemic

Cited by 133 publications

References 20 publications

Pig producers’ perceptions of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 outbreak and its effect on their biosecurity practices in Australia

Pig producers’ perceptions of the Influenza Pandemic H1N1/09 outbreak and its effect on their biosecurity practices in Australia

Knowledge, attitude and practice of El-Minia university students towards pandemic H1N1, Egypt, 2009

Public perceptions of the transmission of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 from pigs and pork products in Australia

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