Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has warned of stern action against those who spread rumours and unscientific facts in the social media against the backdrop of the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode.
Asked about the messages being circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp by self-styled naturopaths and alternative medical practitioners, she told the media on Tuesday that legal action would be initiated against such people.
“It is not the time to spread such superstitious messages,” Ms. Shylaja said.
Students of Government Medical College, Kozhikode, had brought the issue to the attention of the Minister on Monday. She said their complaint had been forwarded to the Cyber Cell of the Kerala Police.
Social media had been agog with messages claiming that the Nipah virus infection was an attempt by the “drug mafia” to improve their business. One of the naturopaths claimed that dengue fever was not being spread by mosquitoes and leptospirosis was not spread by rats. “All those who sleep on streets and inmates in jail would have died by now if mosquitoes can spread dengue fever,” the FB video said
