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Their expectations shaken by Katrina, Americans are divided over whether the government is likely to do a good job handling the bird flu if it reaches the United States, a poll finds. People want a resolute response that includes quarantines if Americans do become infected.

The AP-Ipsos survey, out Friday, found widespread belief that birds will become infected in this country in the next year, as the government has predicted. One-third worry someone in their family will get the bird flu.

Fear is certain to spread if the virus is found in the United States: Half of the people questioned said they thought the bird flu would kill them if they contracted it. Among the most concerned: women, older people, minorities, poorer people and the less educated.

The actual chances of death from the virulent strain of the bird flu spreading through Asia, Europe and Africa are not known, mainly because there is no way to tell how many contract the virus. It's possible some who get it recover without the virus even being detected.

Among the 204 known cases so far overseas since 2003, 113 people have died, according to new World Health Organization figures Friday.

The poll found only one in 10 people has prepared for an outbreak in any way despite federal recommendations that Americans make contingency plans to work from home, to deal with school closings and put away at least modest amounts of food and water for any emergency.

Overall, more than 200 million birds have died from the disease or been slaughtered in efforts to contain it.

Right now, the danger comes from handling sick chickens, not from eating properly cooked poultry. The health concern is that the strain will mutate so it can be easily spread among people. This is considered most likely to happen in Asia and be carried from there by travelers.

The U.S. government is stepping up inspection of migratory wild birds, and poultry companies are testing nearly every flock for the first signs of the virus.

Americans are far from reassured that if an outbreak among humans happens, the government can control it.

In the poll, 52 percent said they were not confident the government would handle an outbreak among humans properly; 48 percent were confident. About six in 10 expect U.S. birds to become infected.