About 80 percent of respondents to a survey said they have changed their habits because of the deadly H7N9 bird flu outbreak.

Horizon Research Group conducted phone surveys of 766 people aged 16 to 70 in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Xi'an on Monday and Tuesday.

Among the findings, released on Wednesday, 77.7 percent of the respondents said their lives have been changed in varying degrees.

Twelve percent said they have become extremely careful in their way of life.

The changes are mainly reflected in people's eating and hygiene habits and daily trips outdoors. About 63 percent said they adjusted their eating habits and cut down on chicken, and 54.3 percent said they improved their hygiene management by, wearing facemasks, frequently washing their hands and exercising.

As for going outdoors, 40.1 percent said they avoid visiting farmers markets or densely populated places, and 22.5 percent said they have changed their plans for the coming May Day holiday.

More than 40 percent said they feared being infected with the virus, and nearly 20 percent said they were deathly afraid. People in Beijing were more uneasy about H7N9 bird flu than those in the other cities, with 53.6 percent saying they were afraid.

wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/18/2013 page7)