In order to help spread the word on prevention about the H1N1 virus, known as the swine flu, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has enlisted the help of Twitter and Facebook.
Jay M. Bernhardt, director of the National Center for Health Marketing at the CDC, spoke Monday afternoon to a group of about 10 people.
Bernhardt's speech focused on the need for the public to be more informed about swine flu and the role that social media plays in information about the virus.
"We have great information, [but] we have a terrible time distributing it," he said. "It's about providing health information and interventions when, where, and how people want and need them."
Bernhardt said most people get their information from television as opposed to news media and similar outlets.
The CDC has set up a Twitter feed, CDC_ehealth and a Facebook page to make information more available.
"It's a very serious illness," he said. "There will be deaths. That's why people need to be informed."
Thanks to the CDC's information, Bernhardt said 67 percent of Americans washed their hands and used hand sanitizer more often following the outbreak and 35 percent took extra precautions to avoid people who were sick.
