Zombie Pandemic Preparedness: a Cautionary Observation

LETTER

Zombie pandemic preparedness: a cautionary observation Frank Houghton, Katie Del Monte, Daniel Glessner, Joyce Goff, Edward Hopkins, Krista Loney, Ghazal Meratnia, Jeremy Toms

he theme of zombies has been utilised to prepare to develop an emergency kit or as a student engagement tool across a plan.17 The authors conclude that, “trivi- range of disciplines, including inter- alization of the preparedness topic may T 1-4 5 16 national relations, geography, microbiol- have occurred in the zombie campaign”. ogy,6 physics,7 and epidemiology.8-10 Perhaps A somewhat similar study of students, most notably, this theme has been adopted conducted by Fraustino & Ma, investigated to explore mathematical modeling of dis- the use of media type and a humorous ease diffusion.11-14 The zombie theme has ‘tongue-in-cheek’ zombie theme compared also been used to engage with and educate with a more traditional preparedness the public about the danger of re-emerg- message. The authors reported that the ing infectious diseases, like rabies.15 The zombie-themed group reported signifi- popularity of zombies in the entertainment cantly weaker intentions to engage in industry offers the hope that using this preparedness.18 theme will lead to increased public aware- Eastern Washington University’s (EWU) ness, as well as interest and engagement in Master of Public Health program at Spokane emergency preparedness. (Washington State, US) was invited to take Aware of this potential, the US Centers part in a Sleep-Over For Science event as for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) part of a federally-funded Area Health responded to widespread apathy towards Education Centre (AHEC) initiative aimed emergency preparedness by launching a at attracting rural youth into health science new initiative, Preparedness 101: Zombie careers. Because the event took place just Pandemic, in 2011, in an effort to reach after Halloween 2015, and because event younger populations.16 The initial blog organisers were familiar with the CDC posting, entitled “If you’re ready for a Zombie preparedness campaign,16 including zombie apocalypse, then you’re ready for its comic novella,19 posters,20 and Zombie any emergency,” generated phenomenal Disease Detectives activities, 21 the decision interest.16 The unprecedented level of was made to incorporate a zombie theme to public interest was demonstrated by the promote emergency preparedness. CDC’s original tweet’s strong trending on Participants were 4–6 grade elementary Twitter and the overflow of traffic to the school children, aged 9–12 years, with an CDC’s website, which caused it to crash.8 average age of 10 (SD = 0.9). Thirty-eight Not surprisingly, this extraordinary level percent of the participants were male, and of interest raised hopes and expectations all participants were living in rural areas. concerning the engagement of young adults Fifty-four responses were collected from a in emergency preparedness. However, pool of 80 participants, yielding a response current results of research exploring the rate of 68%. Active parental consent was use of this tactic have been disappointing. a precondition of participation. Ethical A randomised study of 340 undergraduate permission for the study was given by the students conducted by Kruvand & Bryant, University’s Institutional Review Board. found that the group exposed to the CDC’s Following an activity to demonstrate zombie blog post were no more likely, and the potential ease of disease diffusion, possibly even less likely, to either retain participants watched a specially prepared preparedness information or express intent 3-minute video depicting a zombie

NZMJ 1 April 2016, Vol 129 No 1432 ISSN 1175-8716 © NZMA 97 www.nzma.org.nz/journal LETTER

outbreak developing into a worldwide lack key elements necessary for a prepared pandemic. The room was decorated with emergency response, alarmingly, 56% posters depicting boarded-up houses (30) of lists clearly included weapons and and graphics from the CDC Zombie firearms. Some children were very precise Preparedness website.20 None of the in their choice of firearms, with one posters, and no element of the video, respondent stating “Hatchet, AR 15, lots featured firearms or weaponry. Partici- of ammo, M9”, while others simply noted pants were then asked to list the required “guns, amo, a lot of weapons” or “gun, nife, elements of a survival kit. These emer- extra gun, bullets [sic]”.3 gency kit lists were subsequently examined Firearm23 and knife-related24 injuries and and form the basis of this analysis. Partic- deaths among young people are a major ipants were then given a copy of a Federal global public health issue, particularly in Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) countries such as the US. The results from brochure outlining 11 essential and 20 this event, given the lack of basic emer- additional suggested elements of an gency kit items and the explicit focus on emergency supply list; a discussion of this weaponry, suggest a note of caution in 22 supply list followed. using a zombie theme to promote emer- The average number of items listed in gency preparedness. A potential byproduct each ‘emergency kit’ was 8.2 (SD=3.3), of zombie preparedness may be an unan- ranging from 3 to 16. Although the ticipated focus on, and glorification of, majority of kits mentioned food (87%) and guns and knives. Further research is water (76%), most other FEMA-suggested required to explore this potential adverse items were absent. Not only did the kits focus in more depth.

Author information: Frank Houghton, MPH Program Director, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Katie Del Monte, MPH Candidate, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Daniel Glessner, Graduate Student Assistant, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Joyce Goff, Program Specialist, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Edward Hopkins, Graduate Student Assistant, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Krista Loney, AHEC Director, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Ghazal Meratnia, MPH Candidate, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US; Jeremy Toms, Graduate Student Assistant, Department of Public Health & Health Administration, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, Washington, US Corresponding author: Frank Houghton, Program Director MPH & HSAD, Eastern Washington University, Rm 232, Phase 1 Building, 668 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Spokane, WA, 99202, US. [email protected] URL: www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2016/vol-129-no-1432-1- april-2016/6858

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