The News Minute | October 14, 2014 | 11 am IST
More than a month after Watsapp messages about a false Ebola death in a Karnataka town, a similar message spreading false information has surfaced in Pune.
Medical Officer for Health at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) S T Pardeshi told The News Minute that a Watspp message about a man named Rakesh Bhandari dying of Ebola in Pune was false. He said that officials came across two suspected cases while conducting screening at the airport, but those were found to have tested negative for the Ebola virus.
He said that they would be filing a complaint with the Cycber Crime Cell in Pune to trace the source of messages that were spreading false information.
The Watsapp message circulated about the false death in Pune reads:
“Ebola reached Maharashtra unfortunately!!
Infected person-Rakesh Bhandhari worked in an IT Company,Pune expired today.
Please take precautions against this Virus and spread the awareness!!
Friends plz eat Honey as much as possible to safeguard yourself from this virus ebola becz this virus directly effects Human Blood Cells. Honey is for the Blood Cells so this is a precaution to save u from the ebola virus...
*SENT AS RECEIVED*
Ebola virus Spread in mumbai toooo
Use Cold water to take your bath in the morning, when you want to drink water use hot water..
It is said to be a traditional vaccine for Ebola.
Please don't keep this information to yourself send to all your contacts...”
In August, a similar message had been circulating about an Ebola death in Karnataka. Both messages begin in almost exactly the same way, but the remedies prescribed for dealing with the virus are different.
The message about the supposed death in Karnataka reads: “Ebola reached Karnataka unfortunately!! Infected poor Sreejith-M Tech, NIT Surathkal, expired today. Please take precautions against this virus and spread the awareness!!. Friends plz eat Tulsi leaves to safeguard yourself from this virus elobla becz this virus directly effects the human immune system. Tulsi leaves good for the immune system so this is a precaution to save u from Ebola virus...."
The death in Karnataka was a real one, but due to Ebola.
Read: Trash it: WhatsApp message on Ebola death in Karnataka is fake