Zoonoses and information of the public: considerations on the role of media

The importance given to the different zoonoses varies according to socio-economic factors and situations in the involved areas. Mainly in the rich countries, the role of media is prevailing to determine this “weight”. In fact a zoonosis may be perceived as important, in some cases terrifying, owing to improper information by mass-media on the risk of infection for animals and man and on the possible use of its agent for terroristic actions. For instance, the transmission of television images of sick or dead people and animals, drastic methods of control (e.g. stamping-out of animals), focusing on bloody actions and so on, can contribute to overestimate the significance and risk of a disease on the part of the public. When information is lacking on the socio-economic factors favouring its occurrence and on geographical distribution, the sensitivity of people may be rapidly influenced and negative socio-economic (sometimes also political) consequences may occur. These zoonoses may be named emphasized zoonoses. On the contrary, some zoonoses are scarcely considered, owing to several reasons, for instance: occurrence (generally endemic) in poor areas and populations; scarce interest by media, decision makers and health services; lack of information and official reports. These zoonoses may be named neglected zoonoses. In Italy, some zoonoses may be included in these two categories. Among the diseases whose importance was noticed mainly trough the media, BSE and Avian influenza have to be mentioned. The pressing and alarmist information by media on these diseases caused the dramatic crash of the bovine meat and poultry markets. Also a suicide of a poultry transporter owing to economic problems occurred. The recurrent emphasis by media on ticks and tick-borne diseases during the summer, tended to overestimate the importance of the Mediterranean spotted fever and Lyme disease. Another instance of exaggerated problem, “the biting dog”, induced a specific national law on “dangerous dogs”, even if reliable data on animal bites are absent. On the contrary, some zoonoses are neglected in spite of the high occurrence in animals and man and their socio-economic significance. Cystic echinococcosis, endemic in southern and insular Italy and with a high prevalence in limited other zones, belongs to this category. Brucellosis, virtually eradicated in northern Italy, is still present in southern regions and is neglected. For instance, in Sicily the number of human cases represents nearly the half of the national one. A low interest is given also to the occupational zoonoses. Some diseases lie between emphasized and neglected ones, according to different approaches. For instance, anthrax may be considered a neglected zoonosis by an occupational point of view, but it reached a boost of interest from media when Bacillus anthracis was presented as a bioterrroristic agent (especially when the possibility of trasmission by mail was supposed). Mass-media have an important role in health information and education of the public. Inadequate or incorrect information may cause negative consequences to physical, psychological and social welfare of the people.