Using Social Media to tackle the threats to Global Health: Ebola and Other High-Threat Pathogens

The World Health Organization (n.d) published an article on the threats to Global Health in 2019 which included air pollution and climate change, noncommunicable diseases, global influenza pandemic, fragile and vulnerable settings, antimicrobial resistance, ebola and other high-threat pathogens, weak primary health care, vaccine hesitancy, dengue, and HIV. Since then many other threats have emerged such as climate change-related disasters, the Ukraine conflict, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article will address how social media can be a tool in managing Ebola and other high-threat pathogens.

Debunking the Myths:?

During the Ebola Disease Outbreak in 2014, many conspiracies emerged regarding how to treat the disease. Many people began to drink and bathe in water with high concentrations of salt. They believed it was for prophylaxis and treatment. Salt drinking became the trend. The rumor emerged after a call from the ruler of the Igala Kingdom, the Attah of Igala, prescribing salt solution as a magical vaccine against the virus went viral as reported by Premium Times?media outlet (2014).

The practice spread across the country and some other religious leaders even instructed their congregations to drink the salt. Excess salt intake is unsafe and can lead to high blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, kidney problems, water retention, and hypocalcemia. Fortunately, the authorities rolled out a massive awareness program aimed at stopping people from using the false remedy and the rumor died down.?

Many conspiracies emerged years later during the COVID pandemic and they sowed seeds of distrust in science and modern medicine. These seeds can prevent populations from making informed decisions about their health. These seeds are already manifesting in the form of COVID-19 vaccine refusal. Some people without any scientific reason whatsoever have refused vaccination just because of what they’ve seen and heard on social media.

In more recent times, the Nipah virus outbreak has also stirred some conspiracies. Earlier this month, a newspaper agent in India was found writing conspiracies about the Nipah virus. He wrote on Facebook that the outbreak was a hoax by pharmaceutical companies as reported in News 9 (2023). A case was made against him by the police. Misinformation is dangerous as it can affect the lives of many so policies should be made for legal action to be taken against conspiracy theorists.

Social media is an important tool to manage the Infodemic. World Health Organization (n.d) defines an infodemic as too much information including false or misleading information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak. An infodemic fosters distrust in health authorities and erodes confidence in the public health response. Such an information overload can exacerbate or prolong outbreaks as individuals become uncertain about the necessary actions to safeguard their own well-being and that of those in their community.

The infodemic is also a threat to global health and it is the direct villain to health promotion initiatives.??

Conclusion

Health organizations need to ensure they provide swift and evidenced-based health information as an early response when an outbreak occurs. This initial information will help set the tone for the population to make better-informed health decisions and protect themselves better during outbreaks.

References

News 9 Live (2023) Kerala Police issue notice to man for claiming Nipah virus, a conspiracy to help pharma companies, Available at: https://www.news9live.com/state/kerala/kerala-police-issue-notice-to-man-for-claiming-nipah-virus-a-conspiracy-to-help-pharma-companies-2288072

Premium Times (2014) Ebola sparks panic across Nigeria as citizens scramble for salt-water bath “remedy” Available at: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/166257-ebola-sparks-panic-across-nigeria-as-citizens-scramble-for-salt-water-bath-remedy.html?tztc=1

World Health Organization (n.d) Infodemic. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/infodemic#tab=tab_1

World Health Organisation (n.d) Ten threats to global health in 2019, Available at:

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019