High-ranking officials, including the Health Minister and Prime Minister, made false claims about past vaccination campaigns
Misinformation targeted the govt as well, with fabricated claims about hiding death tolls and false statements attributed to ministers
The crisis underscores a critical lesson for South Asia: managing a public health emergency now requires a robust information response
Bangladesh’s measles outbreak, which has been spreading rapidly since March, has left 712 confirmed and suspected deaths by June 30, 2024, overwhelming hospitals with daily admissions of infected children. As the health crisis deepens, it is being compounded by a parallel surge of misinformation, with Rumor Scanner reporting 383 false claims in May alone, including 26 directly linked to measles.
Bangladesh has one of the fastest-growing digital populations, with Facebook serving as the primary news source for millions of users. During major political and public health events, misinformation spreads through screenshots, edited photocards, and reposted satire. This allows false narratives to reach large audiences before corrections can catch up.
When government officials got it wrong
For thousands of families, the outbreak has become a painful public health emergency. But as the disease spread through communities, another thre0at spread alongside and it is misinformation.
False claims, fabricated statements, misleading political narratives, and satire presented as fact have...
A celebrity endorsement can sell a movie, cosmetics and, sometimes, a bogus health claim. When stars share personal health experiences or opinions, those messages can reach millions of people and s...