Flu Danger Real for Germans

Following recent cases of avian flu, German consumers are 'already in fear of a pandemic' according to GfK HealthCare. The agency says that one in five fear catching it themselves and 14% have asked doctors to prescribe a suitable medication or intend to do so very shortly.

Just over two weeks after the first confirmed case of avian flu on the island of Rügen off the North German coast, the H5N1 virus has already spread to five of Germany's federal states, but unlike in France it has killed only wild birds up to now.

The survey finds that 77% of Germans believe that it will not be long until bird flu hits German domestic poultry, but like politicians, consumers are split over the right course of action: just over half of German consumers (54%) support mass precautionary culling, while 46% are against it.

71% of those surveyed said they could envisage the virus passing to human beings in Germany. 19% fear that they themselves might catch bird flu and 18% of Germans intend to obtain protective masks, face masks and gloves or have already bought them.

Most Germans (59%) say they feel well informed about bird flu and 85% maintain that they would know exactly what to do if they found a dead wild bird. Germans are critical about most of the actions taken by the authorities - only 34% believe that advance planning is as good as possible in Germany and only 38% think that the 'Land' authority stocks of anti-bird flu medication - enough for roughly one fifth of the population - are adequate.

A large majority feel, however, that the danger should not undermine a potentially great year for their country. 77% of those surveyed (including 86% of men but also 68% of women) insist that the FIFA Football World Cup should go ahead, even if the virus passes to domestic animals in Germany.

GfK HealthCare interviewed 509 respondents by telephone between February 24 and 25. GfK is online at www.gfk.com

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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