Let’s stop misinformation on virus

Coronavirus Covid-19 Protection and Vaccine [COURTESY]

When Covid-19 emerged, it was clear from the outset this was not just a public health emergency, but a communications crisis as well.

The pandemic has not only caused significant challenges for health systems across the globe but also fueled surge of rumours, hoaxes and misinformation, regarding the etiology, outcomes, prevention, and cure of the disease. As Covid-19 spreads around the world, so does misinformation — ranging from fake cures to full-blown conspiracy theories.

In February 2020, the World Health Organisation described the rapid growth of Covid-19-related misinformation as an “infodemic.” An infodemic is defined as “an overabundance of information, some accurate and some not, that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources or reliable guidance when they need it. Besides leading the global fight against Covid-19, the WHO is also investing time and resources to tackle the rapid spread of misinformation, rumours and conspiracy theories about the virus. 

Misinformation is not unique to the Covid-19 health crisis, and for better or worse, online platforms have been battling the phenomena for long. The growing risk of misinformation comes on the heels of rapidly increasing access to internet and digital media. With a huge public demand for information about the pandemic and rapid spread of false information, the ‘infodemic’ is putting lives at risk.

Our bigger problem today is the low cost, speed and scale at which misinformation can spread. The misinformation, particularly via ‘social spread,’ has had a significant impact on popular anxiety surrounding this outbreak. Besides misinformation the rollout of Covid-19 vaccine, has brought to the fore another challenge connected to the pandemic - vaccine hesitancy.

Just as the coronavirus itself, misinformation has spread far and wide, drowning out credible sources of information. Furthermore, basic information on how to reduce transmission and exposure to the virus has been muddled by uncredited sources. For example, a popular myth currently circulating is that home remedies can cure or prevent people from getting the virus. Taking vitamin C and eating garlic are being hailed as miracle remedies despite lack of evidence.

Such spread of misinformation is masking healthy behaviours and promoting erroneous practices that increase spread of the virus. In the context of an unprecedented health crisis, misinformation about the pandemic pose a serious risk to public health as well as public action. Not only can misinformation spread panic, but it can change human behavior to take greater risks and worsen outbreaks.

Lessons learnt from other pandemics such as HIV might prove helpful to understand how misinformation facilitates transmission of Covid-19. The fear, worry, stigma, and other falsehoods about Covid-19 might lead to adverse impacts on disease control since prior SARS and Ebola outbreaks are examples.

A key component of managing any crisis is effective communication— which can be difficult during an infodemic. As the world scrambles to contain the pandemic, the role of effective communication is becoming increasingly critical.

The Ministry of Health, the WHO and health experts efforts to maintain a constant stream of information through its daily press briefings has been a model example of how effective communication can be used to fight disease outbreaks.

The frontline healthcare providers should be equipped with most recent research findings and accurate information. The mass media, healthcare organisation, community-based organisations, and other important stakeholders should build strategic partnerships and launch common platforms for disseminating authentic public health messages. Also, advanced technologies like data mining should be applied in detection and removal of online content with no scientific basis.

- The writer is public communication officer, Pharmacy and Poisons Board