Swine Flu Scare in America (A)
1993
This case focuses on the epidemiological investigation, government response, and civil society reaction to the swine-flu in 1976. The case also analyzes the response of the press, which framed the swine-flu as a potential repeat of the "highly fatal 1918 influenza pandemic."
The abstract sets the stage with the following description. "In 1976, the CDC received samples of an unknown pathogen from Fort Dix, a New Jersey Army training center. After extensive testing, it was discovered that the sample was swine flu, which had not been reported in persons ‘out of touch with pigs’ since the late 1920's. CDC director Dr. David Spencer wrote an ‘action memorandum’ detailing how the Federal government should proceed.”
Also see: Swine Flu Scare in America (B)
The case is part of a series produced by the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Case Program. Each case in the series is designed to train public leaders, and introduces actual policy dilemmas along with data to equip students to learn how to apply the rigor of quantitative analysis in the real world. This case is available for free.
Swine Flu Scare in America (A)
Source:
Neustadt R, Fineberg H. Swine Flu Scare in America (A). HKS Case No. 1053. Harvard Kennedy School Case Program 1993. https://case.hks.harvard.edu/swine-flu-scare-in-america-a.