His public appearances became numerous as the concerns over bioterrorism, influenza, bird flu and SARS increased, and as the Dutch government neglected public communication. The media's solution to this latter problem was straightforward: call Osterhaus. He is always willing to spare a moment since he believes science communication is part of a scientist's professional ethos (Osterhaus 6 March 2008). These appearances amounted to a clear media policy with a handful of tricks to safeguard his public credibility.