Germans reduce kissing to avoid A/H1N1 virus infection
DDP/The Local - [email protected]
Published: 2 Aug, 2009 CET.
Updated: Sun 2 Aug 2009 10:26 CET
Touchy-feely German social habits are falling victim to fears of the A/H1N1 virus, according to a survey showing many people are restricting the amount they kiss and shake hands with each other.
The survey, conducted by polis/USUMA polling company for Focus magazine revealed that 37 percent of Germans are washing their hands more frequently in a bid to reduce the chances of picking up the flu virus.
A further 20 percent are trying to avoid large groups of people, 16 percent are reducing the amount of hugging and kissing they do when meeting people, and 15 percent have stopped shaking hands.
But around half of those asked said they were not concerned and were taking no specific measures against infection.
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The survey, conducted by polis/USUMA polling company for Focus magazine revealed that 37 percent of Germans are washing their hands more frequently in a bid to reduce the chances of picking up the flu virus.
A further 20 percent are trying to avoid large groups of people, 16 percent are reducing the amount of hugging and kissing they do when meeting people, and 15 percent have stopped shaking hands.
But around half of those asked said they were not concerned and were taking no specific measures against infection.
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