Rhodes University has moved to reassure students and staff after a fake social media notice claimed a hantavirus outbreak.
Image: RHODES UNIVERSITY
Rhodes University has shut down claims that a case of hantavirus was reported at its Makhanda campus.
The institution dismissed a poster circulating on social media. It further urged students, staff, and the wider community not to panic or spread unverified claims as concern grows globally over recent hantavirus cases.
"We wish to categorically state that this information is completely false," the university said.
The university also urged the public to trust only verified updates, warning: "Please rely exclusively on official Rhodes University communications and Department of Health statements for information regarding public health."
The Eastern Cape Department of Health has also rejected claims of a hantavirus outbreak at Grey Hospital, confirming that reports circulating online are untrue.
Health officials said the claims are misleading and stressed that no confirmed hantavirus cases linked to the facility have been reported.
"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," the department said.
Hantavirus, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, is usually linked to rodent exposure in endemic countries and has been reported among specific travellers from the MV Hondius cruise ship. It is a rare but serious illness.
The NICD said the reported Hantavirus cases linked to a cruise voyage are associated with exposure outside South Africa. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Facts from the NICD
Image: NICD
"In our view, there is no need for the public to panic because only two patients from the cruise ship have been within our borders. The World Health Organization is coordinating a multi-country response with all affected islands and countries to contain further spread of the disease," read a statement from the Department of Health.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said that there is no evidence linking local rodents to the disease, noting it is not found in rats in South Africa or the broader African continent.
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