ANAHEIM, Calif. -- As the measles outbreak spread last month, Disneyland executives sent a series of emails to California health officials asking them to emphasize that the theme park was not responsible for the illnesses and was safe to visit, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.
There is no evidence Disneyland -- or health officials, who incorporated at least some of the theme park's suggestions -- tried to downplay the seriousness of the outbreak or mislead the public. Nor is it unusual for companies to try to get public officials' ear during a crisis.
But the email exchange pulls back the curtain on what can be a delicate process. And it shows Disneyland's concern about the disease's potential harm to "The Happiest Place on Earth" even as the theme park worked with health authorities to alert the public to the danger.
As the infections multiplied, Disneyland forwarded suggestions to the California Department of Public Health and tried to insert language into an update from the Orange County Health Care Agency, according to correspondence spanning the first two weeks of the outbreak. The emails were obtained through a public records request.
In one exchange, a Disneyland official wanted the state to make it clear the park was not responsible for the outbreak. In another, Disneyland wanted the state to clarify that it was safe for vaccinated people to visit the theme park. In that instance, the state updated its website to address Disneyland's concern.
More than 70 people in California -- including six Disneyland employees -- and about two dozen others in six states, Mexico and Canada have been sickened in the outbreak. While measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, the illness has reappeared in recent years, brought in from overseas and transmitted to Americans who didn't get vaccinated.
On Thursday, Disneyland spokeswoman Lisa Haines said the resort was in constant contact with health authorities during the outbreak "in order to ensure that factual and accurate information flowed both ways to avoid confusion and properly inform the public."
First word of the outbreak came Jan. 7 when California authorities confirmed a cluster of infections in people who visited Disney's California theme parks days before Christmas. Disneyland's medical team worked with health investigators to identify people who had close contact with infected workers, and it offered employees vaccinations and blood tests to see if they were immune.
The next week, Disneyland Resort's vice-president of communications emailed state health agency spokesman Ron Owens, laying out her desire to advise the public that measles is highly contagious and can only be prevented through vaccination.
"Basically, our goal is to ensure people know that the exposure period at the Disneyland Resort is now over, that this has nothing to do with Disneyland and this could happen anywhere," Cathi Killian wrote. She added: "Can you please let us know if you are able to help us on this front?"
The state health department's website included similar language. State health spokeswoman Anita Gore told the AP in an email: "When clarification is needed, we make adjustments where necessary."
Killian also sent wording suggestions to the health department in Orange County, where Disneyland is situated, for a news release. In that instance, Dr. Matthew Zahn, the county's medical director for epidemiology, said he had no problem with the proposed wording but saw no need to include it, the records show.
Deanne Thompson, a spokeswoman for the county health department, told the AP that Disneyland made "no attempt to control or pressure" the department to incorporate any suggestions.
In one of the email exchanges, Disneyland's chief medical officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel, forwarded to California's top epidemiologist, Dr. Gil Chavez, a statement from Disneyland's public relations arm with "some points," including: "It is absolutely safe to visit these places, including the Disneyland Resort, if you are vaccinated."
Chavez replied that Disneyland's statement was "100 per cent consistent" with what he said publicly a day earlier, when he announced that it was fine to visit Disneyland with the proper vaccinations but that those who haven't gotten their shots should stay away. Chavez went ahead and had a version of Disneyland's statement posted on the state health department's website.
Crisis communications experts said that it's not uncommon for companies to make suggestions during a disease outbreak and that their view can be helpful as long as they don't try to distort the message.
"At the end of the day, you are trying to balance potentially competing interests, but you are also trying to give people the best advice possible," said Glen Nowak, a former spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who now heads the Center for Health and Risk Communication at the University of Georgia.
Excerpts of emails between Disneyland and health officials during measles outbreak@
After the measles outbreak became public, Disneyland officials emailed California public health experts asking them to emphasize that such an outbreak could happen anywhere and it was safe to visit the theme park, according to correspondence obtained through a public records request.
Here are some excerpts from the email exchanges, which highlight some of the communications between the company and health officials during the early days of the outbreak:
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Excerpt from email from Disneyland's Cathi Killian to California Department of Public Health's Ron Owens on Jan. 15 titled "Information for the website":
"Per our conversation, below are some thoughts. Basically, our goal is to ensure people know that the exposure period at the Disneyland Resort is now over, that this has nothing to do with Disneyland and this could happen anywhere.
"The possible measles exposure period of Dec. 15-20 at the Disneyland Resort is over and no new cases have been identified from guests who visited after that time period. This type of outbreak could happen anywhere -- in an airport or a shopping mall. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease and nothing could have been done to prevent it. The most effective way to prevent its spread is through immunization. There is absolutely nothing anyone can do other than to get vaccinated.
"Here is the quote from the OC Health Care Agency that was in the OC Register that summarized the points effectively:
"'There is nothing anyone can do to prevent such an outbreak from occurring. Anywhere you have people who are infectious, and others who are not vaccinated, you are going to have the disease spread. There is absolutely nothing anyone can do other than to get vaccinated.'
"Can you please let us know if you are able to help us on this front?
"Thanks for your help."
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Excerpts from email chain between Cathi Killian and Disneyland's Dr. Pamela Hymel that was relayed to Dr. Gil Chavez of California Department of Public Health on Jan. 22 titled "A Couple Thoughts":
"As I mentioned yesterday, measles is highly contagious and highly preventable through vaccinations. My cautions relate to those who are not vaccinated, especially infants under 12 months. Any place where large numbers of people congregate and there are a number of international visitors, like airports, shopping malls and tourist attractions, you may be more likely to find measles, which should be considered if you are not vaccinated. It is absolutely safe to visit these places, including the Disneyland Resort, if you are vaccinated. Therefore, I recommended getting immunized."
Hymel to Chavez:
"Hi there
"Here are some points, we will call to discuss"
Chavez to Hymel:
"Received. Your statement below is 100 per cent consistent with what we conveyed yesterday. Let me work with our media folks on the best way to share it. We will use in our responses today."
Hymel to Chavez:
"Thank you again for all of your help"
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Excerpts from email from Cathi Killian to Dr. Gil Chavez that was relayed to officials at the California Health and Human Services Agency and California Department of Public Health on Jan. 22 titled "Call from Disney":
"Dr. Chavez,
"Please let me know (sic) are soon as you are available to talk - we are getting calls from the nightly news shows now and would like to be able to get some clarification in to the stories."
Chavez to state health officials:
"See note from Disney below for context on what I am calling about. I would like to post the below statement in our CDPH website ASAP to make sure that our recommendation as it pertains to visiting Disneyland is clear:
"Measles is highly contagious and highly preventable through vaccinations. CDPH is urging caution to individuals who are not vaccinated, especially infants under 12 months. Any place where large numbers of people congregate and there are a number of international visitors, like airports, shopping malls and tourist attractions, you may be more likely to find measles, which should be considered if you are not vaccinated. It is absolutely safe to visit these places, including the Disneyland Resort, if you are vaccinated. Therefore, CDPH recommends that anyone not already immunized against measles gets immunized at this time.
"Call when you can."
