Poll: Most Worried About Bird Flu, But Confident About Government Response

March 12, 2005 — -- Nearly eight in 10 Americans think the bird flu virus will reach the United States and two-thirds are concerned about it. But fears of infection are not strongly felt, and most express at least some confidence in the government's ability to respond effectively.

While expectations and concerns are broad, they're much less deep. Seventy-eight percent in this ABC News poll think the virus will reach these shores, but just three in 10 call it "very" likely. Sixty-six percent are worried about it, but just 26 percent are "very" concerned about that happening.

Fewer overall, four in 10, worry that they or a family member will catch the disease. And again this concern is not intense -- just 13 percent are worried a "great deal."

Should an outbreak occur, most Americans feel secure that it will be properly taken care of. Nearly six in 10 are confident the federal government will respond effectively, and just under two-thirds think their local hospitals and health agencies can handle it.

But there is room for doubt: Most are only somewhat confident the authorities can respond effectively, as opposed to feeling completely assured.

PERSONAL CONCERN -- Concern about catching bird flu is similar to personal concern about getting SARS in early April 2003 (38 percent), but lower than peak fears of exposure to West Nile virus, 53 percent in a September 2002 Gallup poll. Of course, if there were any confirmed reports of bird flu in this country, concern about getting it could be expected to rise.

Midwesterners and Southerners are more worried about getting the bird flu virus than Northeasterners or Westerners. Lower-income Americans are more concerned than higher-income people. And naturally, people who think it's likely the virus will reach this country are more apt to be concerned about getting it than those who think it's unlikely.