• Qiuyan Liao, Peng Wu, Wendy Wing Tak Lam, Vicky J Fang, Joseph T Wu, Gabriel M Leung, Richard Fielding, and Benjamin J Cowling.
• School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, China.
• J Public Health (Oxf). 2016 Mar 1; 38 (1): 34-43.

BackgroundThe study investigated public risk perception regarding influenza A(H7N9) and attitudes towards closure of live poultry markets (LPMs) before and after LPMs closed in Hong Kong.MethodsTwo population-based surveys were conducted before and after LPMs closed in January-February 2014, respectively. Adults were recruited using random digital dialing.ResultsIn total, 670 and 1011 respondents completed the survey before and after closure of LPMs, respectively. Perceived susceptibility to H7N9 infection was low across surveys. Among respondents who completed the survey after LPMs closed, only 14.6% agreed that temporary closure of LPMs caused inconvenience to the daily life; 38.7% valued the Chinese tradition of live poultry consumption more than controlling the risk of avian influenza; 54.6% recognized greater risk of influenza epidemic associated with LPMs. Support for permanent closure of LPMs which was comparably low across surveys was strongly associated with perceived risk of avian influenza related to LPMs, the effectiveness of LPM closure in control of avian influenza and the inconvenience caused by closure.ConclusionsRisk communication that promotes people's perceived risk of avian influenza associated with LPMs and the effectiveness of LPM closure in control of avian influenza outbreaks may improve support for permanent closure of LPMs.© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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