COVID-19-Related infodemic and its impact on public health: A global social media analysis

17, November 2020 | Bangladesh

Authors:

Abstract

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 guid- ance when they need it,” was coined to categorize some of the common features of rumors, 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 con- tracting the disease caused social stigma against Asian peo- ple.3 Stigmatized persons may delay seeking medical care, potentially remaining undetected, but contributing to the ex- pansion of the epidemic via community transmission.4,5 The UN secretary-general identified COVID-19–related rumors as a global enemy.6 Globally, there have been reports of rumors, stigma, and conspiracy theories connected to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.7