Using web education for crisis management
With the Centers for Disease Control reporting 1,590 cases of West Nile so far this year, 2012 officially holds the record for highest number of West Nile infections since the virus was first detected in the U.S. some 13 years ago.
To help combat this potentially deadly virus, the CDC has put together a solid West Nile Virus page that focuses on crisis management via education. The page includes regular updates, tracking data and maps, a fact sheet, tips for reducing the number of mosquitoes in your area, methods for avoiding mosquito bites at home and outside, and an easy to use map that helps users navigate to their home state’s CDC page to find local info. They’ve also got a “West Nile in the Workplace” page that focuses on the protection of both outdoor workers and those working in laboratories, clinics, and the field.
A third page focuses specifically on preventing mosquito bites, and uses a very blog-like, conversational tone to drive the point home in an easily digestable manner. An example:
Insect Repellent: It keeps you from being what’s for dinner.
There are always excuses for not using repellent— forgot it, didn’t want to go back and get it, it doesn’t smell good, it’s not in the budget, or “mosquitoes don’t bite me”…
Think of repellent as you would an important article of clothing, and increase your chances of avoiding weeks (or even months) of aches and fatigue that come with West Nile fever, dengue fever, or any number of other mosquito borne diseases. More severe problems are possible. Being hospitalized with swelling of the brain, or even worse, are possibilities from many of these diseases.
While authorities in some towns are using sprays and pesticides to bandage the problem, the only true solution is to limit the risks and protect both ourselves and our communities. Just as in so many other areas of crisis management, prevention is the best remedy of all.
The BCM Blogging Team
https://www.bernsteincrisismanagement.com/