No hantavirus outbreak at Grey Hospital, confirms Eastern Cape Health Department
The Eastern Cape Department of Health has dismissed reports of a hantavirus outbreak at Grey Hospital
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The Eastern Cape Department of Health has denied reports of a hantavirus outbreak at Grey Hospital, saying the claims are false.
This comes after a fake notice began circulating on social media and messaging platforms, suggesting that there was an outbreak at the hospital.
The department said the information is misleading and not based on any confirmed cases.
"The Eastern Cape Department of Health categorically states that reports of a Hantavirus outbreak at Grey Hospital are, according to our reports, false," the department
"A fake notice has been circulated and is misleading the public. There is no such outbreak at the facility".
The department added that members of the public should not share unverified information, warning that doing so contributes to unnecessary panic and confusion.
"The public is urged not to share unverified information and to rely only on official Department of Health communications. The spreading of false information by persons not qualified nor authorised to do so is irresponsible and causes unnecessary panic," the department added.
"It is also unlawful. Any such persons involved in spreading false information can face criminal charges".
IOL previously reported that South African health authorities are actively tracing contacts across the country following a hantavirus outbreak linked to the expedition cruise ship MV Hondius, as global health bodies coordinate a response to the deadly, yet geographically rare, incident.
The outbreak has so far been linked to eight confirmed cases and three deaths, including a Dutch couple and a German national.
Health authorities said the infections involve the Andes virus, a rare strain of hantavirus that is unusual because it can, in some cases, spread between people through close and extended contact.