FCT Health Services Debunk Diphteria Report Linked To Sliced Watermelon
FCT Health Services in Abuja has debunked a viral social media report that linked a diphtheria case to the consumption of sliced watermelon. Investigations by a rapid response team found no evidence of the alleged patient or the incident described in the post.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation in public health and the necessity for official verification to prevent unnecessary public panic.
The FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) has clarified that a viral social media claim linking an alleged diphtheria case in the FCT to sliced watermelon could not be substantiated following a field verification visit.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Media Aide to the FCT-HSES, Bola Ajao on Wednesday.
According to Ajao, the claim was contained in a social media post by Ivan Eagle Lawson, which included a photograph purportedly showing a man identified as Mr Simeon Okoh and alleged that he was a victim of diphtheria in Abuja.
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