This research article provides recommendations for government agencies responding to virus outbreaks after analyzing risk communication during the MERS outbreak.

Interorganizational communication is important when responding to novel infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. All levels of government agencies play important roles in responding to public health epidemics. National leaders must effectively coordinate and support the overall response, and local and state leaders must interact with other governmental agencies to appropriately respond. Broadly speaking, government agencies need to improve hierarchical communication with different government levels, horizontal communication and cooperation with similar levels, and information systems overall. Specifically, government agencies need to disclose information more quickly and clearly and agree on priorities and information standards and systems.