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. 2017 Jan;23(1):108-111.
doi: 10.3201/eid2301.160589.

Media Messages and Perception of Risk for Ebola Virus Infection, United States

Tara Kirk Sell, Crystal Boddie, Emma E McGinty, Keshia Pollack, Katherine Clegg Smith, Thomas A Burke, Lainie Rutkow

Media Messages and Perception of Risk for Ebola Virus Infection, United States

Tara Kirk Sell et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

News media have been blamed for sensationalizing Ebola in the United States, causing unnecessary alarm. To investigate this issue, we analyzed US-focused news stories about Ebola virus disease during July 1-November 30, 2014. We found frequent use of risk-elevating messages, which may have contributed to increased public concern.

Keywords: Ebola; Ebola virus disease; Ebola virus infection; United States; communicable diseases; decision making; disease outbreaks; hemorrhagic fever; mass media; risk; viruses.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
News coverage of Ebola virus disease comparing stories about Ebola in the United States and internationally, July–November 2014. Aug 2, first Ebola virus disease patient arrives in the United States; Aug 8, World Health Organization declares public health emergency of international concern; Sep 30, first case diagnosed in Dallas, Texas, USA; Oct 11, first case in healthcare worker; Oct 15, second case in healthcare worker; Oct 23–24, case diagnosed in New York, USA, and nurse quarantined; Nov 4, US midterm elections.
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