There's a Twitter for the CDC covering emergencies.  Currently, they're covering Swine Flu.

I of course, having an interest in both my own and public health, and medical issues, subscribed.

Twitter may not be perfect.  It may have issues coming up with a revenue model (and you can be sure people aren't going to like it), and it has retention issues.  It is however very firmly lodged in public consciousness and will survive and probably prosper in some form.

- Steve