The CDC recently took a chance and launched its message into SL. Instead of the typical media outreach, the CDC decided to create something novel — a presence in Second Life’s virtual world to promote the significance of disease prevention.

This exciting venture from the Department of Health and Human Services features a modest, two-level property, furnished with educational posters and links to web libraries full of information. It’s a portal that discusses real disease prevention issues within a virtual foundation. You can even instant message an avatar named Hygeia Philo, who in real life is John Anderton. He’s the person responsible for bringing the CDC to Second Life. If you have any queries concerning the inner workings of the government agency, along with questions about diseases and where to find information on prevention, he’s the one.

This venture has yet to be called a success, but the idea that government agencies are joining the ranks of social media gurus by opening its doors to the virtual public is something to take notice of and learn from. The CDC’s job is the same as ours — to get the message heard.