Pan American Health Organization World Health Organization Pandemic and Outbreak Communication...

Pandemic and Outbreak Communication PAHO/WHO

Pan American HealthOrganization

World HealthOrganization

Module 2:Module 2:

IHR Risk communications Capacity:IHR Risk communications Capacity:

Public Communication CoordinationPublic Communication Coordination




Emergency Communication DemandEmergency Communication Demand

Emergencies have unique characteristics, including:– high impact– extreme time pressure – involvement of multiple organizations

Risk communication for emergencies must adapt to specific challenges




Emergency Communication Demand*Emergency Communication Demand*

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Emergency

* Survey of communication and medical staff: SARS, Vietnam, 2003; AI (human), Thailand, 2004; Reintroduction of wild polio virus, Indonesia, 2005; AI, Romania, 2006; AI (human) Azerbaijan, 2006; AI (human) Turkey, 2006; Ebola, DRC, 2007; Dengue, Uruguay, 2007; Vaccine Derived Polio Virus, Nigeria, 2007




Emergency Communication DemandEmergency Communication Demand

• Analysis further suggests it is not only workload that increases

• Emergency communication typically has unique characteristics:– Shift from national to international interest– Non-health media involved– Economic consequences– Immediate involvement of senior political actors




Case Study: Risk ManagementCase Study: Risk ManagementPolio: Nigeria 2003Polio: Nigeria 2003

Religious and political leaders in Northern regions:

Polio vaccine = infertility/HIV

Result: Program suspended• 17: countries infected• 500M USD: program cost• 1000+: children paralyzed





Context:• North/South political tension• Population Control Policy in 1980s

– vaccinations suspected of population control• 1996 Pfizer trial – alleged unethical / illegal• Post 9/11 tension• WHO trained local staff to deliver vaccine

– excluded local leadership





• Polio Partnership met with Health Minister – states responsible for immunization

• Government/Partner efforts to reassure failed• Study of information sources:

– 5% from TV/Radio– 21% from religious institution– 57% from the town crier

• Resolution:– dialogue with religious and local political leaders – testing the vaccine in Indonesia




Public CommunicationPublic Communication

IHR Risk Communication Capacity:

Public Communication Coordination

1. Identification of likely public health emergency partners

2. Adoption of emergency coordination principles

3. Development of communication coordination mechanism

Pan American Health Organization World Health Organization Pandemic and Outbreak Communication...

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