In relation to avian influenza, most research has focussed on risk perception and compliance with protective behaviours. A large European Union project on risk perception to avian influenza in Europe and Asia found moderate levels of risk perception generally, with higher levels of risk perception noted in Europe, and in females in most countries [29] . Considering distress and risk perception in relation to human epidemics; it is likely that psychological distress would be far greater, since these present a threat to human health and possibly death. Certainly data collected during and after SARS in Hong Kong found high levels of fear and PTSD in health care workers and hospital workers [30] , and high levels of emotional disturbance in the general population [31] . Research in Canada found enduring psychological distress, up to two years following SARS, among health care workers in a hospital that treated SARS patients [32] .