Swine Flu Outbreak: CDC utilizes Social Media, Keeps communication open to educate public

Its everywhere you turn, news about the swine flu pandemic. Many are turning to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Web site home page where they have done a great job of explaining what the swine flu is from video explanations, podcasts and statistics to a 2009 widget that you can download to plan and prepare.

This week in AdAge, writer Pete Blackshaw's said, "The agency has added nearly 15,000 Twitter followers in the past two days, bringing the total to 40,000." He offers Ten Tips Marketers Can Learn From the CDC's Response to the Swine Flu Epidemic.

I think Blackshaw is right on with his messaging about how the CDC is doing a great job keeping the public informed. Many communicators can learn from the CDC in a time of crisis. They have stepped up and are educating the public in many ways from social media networks, holding daily press conferences about the outbreak and updating their web site several times a day. This is a great reminder to discuss with clients the importance of a crisis communication plan and learn from how the CDC is successfully informing the public about this flu as facts are changing every hour regarding this.

Kuddos to the CDC for keeping the lines of communication open to the public about the swine flu.