Study: Fake news exacerbates disease outbreaks

In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease, scientists at Britain's East Anglia University (UEA) said any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives. — Reuters

LONDON/BEIJING: The rise of "fake news" – including misinformation and inaccurate advice on social media – could make disease outbreaks such as the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic currently spreading in China worse, according to research published on Feb 14.

In an analysis of how the spread of misinformation affects the spread of disease, scientists at Britain's East Anglia University (UEA) said any successful efforts to stop people sharing fake news could help save lives.