Influencers and others on social media have revived and spread disinformation that has undermined health care interventions.

This year has seen outbreaks of Ebola, hantavirus and, in Australia, diphtheria. Among the challenges in dealing with these outbreaks has been distrust in health care or a lack of information where misinformation has filled the vacuum, say health experts writing for the online magazine, The Conversation.

They report how distrust, rumours and misinformation have repeatedly emerged as major barriers to controlling Ebola.

These issues have “hampered how cases of Ebola are identified, discouraged people to seek timely health care or to hide cases, and have undermined public health interventions”.

In late May, some residents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo set fire to a tent set up by Médecins Sans Frontières for suspected and confirmed Ebola cases.

The trigger for this was the announcement of a ban on large funeral wakes and gatherings which served to alienate the local population from health authorities.

During the recent cruise ship hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, US health officials were slow to communicate publicly about the risks. Others then filled the vacuum, including online influencers spreading information via social media about the virus’ pandemic potential, unproven treatments, as well as false links to vaccination.

Better communication and community-driven action are vital during these outbreaks, experts say: frequent press conferences, social media updates and direct engagement with the public helps build the necessary trust.