4/4 Public communication about highly infectious and deadly diseases is particularly susceptible to disinformation. This is because these topics are emotionally charged, closely connected to everyday life, and associated with fear, while at the same time being highly complex.
1/4 #Rwanda ๐ท๐ผ should remain vigilant. The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda has been accompanied by targeted health disinformation just hours after the WHO emergency declaration.
3/4 Three well-known conspiracy narratives: (1) Ebola was artificially created in a laboratory. (2)The Ebola outbreak is a planned conspiracy and (3)There is a simple cure for Ebola that is being concealed by health authorities.
Health authorities race to develop vaccines and treatments for deadly Bundibugyo Ebola strain. Unfortunately, the Bundibugyo strain has no vaccine or treatment-
https://t.co/MLCJFBLe6w
Remain Vigilant! ๐ท๐ผ
We have to ensure good surveillance, Infection control practices, risk communication, community engagement amoung many other measures!
WHO urges DRCongo's neighbours to act immediately on Ebola risk - eNCA https://t.co/Fk0Kk7CaiB
As we strengthen measures against the threat from Ebola, let's start with the simple things...Washing hands regularly with soap and clean water, and avoiding unnecessary physical contact.
These are simple but powerful tools we can use.
Stay Alert! ๐ท๐ผ
๐ท๐ผ Rwanda FETP โ Response video
This is how Rwandaโs FETP responded to a Marburg outbreak in real time.
It began with a signal, an unusual case flagged through the system. Within hours, teams were activated. Field epidemiologists moved quickly, investigating, tracing contacts, verifying data, and coordinating response across levels. Information flowed. Decisions were made. Action followed.
โถ๏ธ Watch the story from Rwanda FETP Marburg response. https://t.co/mktn8WoJ2V
๐ Not just response. A system that works when it matters most.
#OutbreakResponse #AFENET #HealthSystems #HealthSecurity
In 2016, a woman in rural Rwanda was hemorrhaging during childbirth. A hospital texted for blood. Minutes later, a Zipline drone launched. 10 minutes after that, it parachuted type O negative to the landing zone. The mother and baby both survived. That system now supplies 75% of Rwanda's blood and has cut maternal mortality by 51%.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),ย like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions, cause 75% of global deaths each year, often affecting individuals before they realize they are at risk!
Terrible traffic is causing "reverse migration" from areas of Rusororo and kanombe!
As a recent migrant to these areas...I am considering voluntary, self-deportation to Kicukiro.
Eish!๐คฃ
@Yan384681394136@TimKalyegira As part of those Rwandans who lived there in the 90's...I can confidently tell you, nothing is ending!
Also, I visited Tororo last year...there is nothing to go back to. Unfortunately a ghost town! A sad pitiable sight.
Hello @CanalboxR
Weโve been struggling with outages and very slow internet for the last several days in the KANOMBE area.
Could you kindly update us on whatโs going on and when itโll be resolved?
Thank you!
Effective public health communication is not about staying safely within the boundaries of approved phrasing. It is about meeting people where they are, explaining risk clearly, and being transparent about uncertainty rather than pretending it doesnโt exist.