THE American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. October 25, 2022
Volume/Issue:
Volume 103: Issue 4
Page(s):
1621–1629
The term infodemic, defined as “an overabundance of information—some accurate and some not—that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it,” was coined to categorize some of the common features of rumours, stigma, and conspiracy theories during public health emergencies.1 During the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019, misinformation was linked to violence, mistrust, social disturbances, and targeted attacks on healthcare providers.2 During the SARS outbreak in China in 2002–2003, fear and anxiety about contracting the disease caused social stigma against Asian people.3 Stigmatized persons may delay seeking medical care, potentially remaining undetected, but contributing to the expansion of the epidemic via community transmission.4,5 The UN secretary general identified COVID-19–related rumours as a global enemy.6 Globally, there have been reports of rumours, stigma, and conspiracy theories connected to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.