title: Rumor surveillance and avian influenza H5N1.
abstract: We describe the enhanced rumor surveillance during the avian influenza H5N1 outbreak in 2004. The World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional Office identified 40 rumors; 9 were verified to be true. Rumor surveillance informed immediate public health action and prevented unnecessary and costly responses.
authors.affiliation: Western Pacific Regional Office of the World Health Organization, Manila, Philippines. gina.samaan@health.gov.au
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samaan
authors.forename: Mahomed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Babatunde
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olowokure
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roces
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oshitani
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D014944:World Health Organization