The Role of New Media Technologies in Epidemics -- Taking the 2014 Ebola outbreak as an example

Yulin Yao

doi:10.54097/whrnhe60

Authors

Yulin Yao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/whrnhe60

Keywords:

Ebola; Epidmic; New Media; Misinformation; Vaccine Hesitancy; Epidemic Anxiety.

Abstract

The Ebola outbreak in 2014 had a significant impact on the global public health system. However, New Media also played a crucial role. Before the outbreak of the epidemic, the role of New Media in the pandemic had already begun to receive attention from some scholars. The most unique aspect of the 2014 Ebola epidemic was the large-scale integration of new media and epidemic control. This paper analyzes the use of New Media during the epidemic to explore its impact on public opinion, information dissemination, and public health communication. The findings provide insights into the potential of New Media in future epidemic response and management.In this paper, the performance of New Media in the Ebola epidemic is analyzed, and it is concluded that New Media can facilitate cooperation among various parties, alleviate the pressure of the epidemic, promote the development of epidemic research, simplify epidemic control planning, and strengthen disease control. This paper also suggests the transmission of misinformation and the problems of epidemic anxiety and "Vaccine Hesitancy" brought about by new media technologies and their solutions, in order to prepare for future epidemics that may occur.

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