Engaging communities at high risk of H5N1: a survey to inform surveillance and outbreak response

Avian influenza (sometimes called 'bird flu') has started to spread among non-bird species, including dairy cows and other mammals. Although there have only been a few human infections so far, infectious disease experts are concerned that this spread may turn into a pandemic. Right now we don't have good systems in place to monitor the spread of bird flu in non-bird populations, including dairy cows and humans. People at high risk of exposure to bird flu include farmers who work with dairy cows, veterinarians who treat farm animals, hunters/anglers and wildlife conservationists who may come in contact with sick animals in the wild. Setting up good surveillance systems for such a wide range of people and professions is challenging, and will require a good understanding of some of the practical issues (like rural location) and attitude-based factors (i.e. distrust) that may prevent program engagement. This project aims to understand the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Canadians at high risk of bird flu exposure through use of a survey. We will use the results of the survey to design surveillance programs that fit with the behaviours and beliefs of high risk groups, and eventually to guide vaccine program development in the case of another pandemic.