The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently addressed false claims circulating on social media regarding its stance on upcoming elections amid a bird flu outbreak. A post on X (formerly Twitter) inaccurately stated that the WHO had warned governments to cancel elections due to the avian flu situation. This assertion has been firmly refuted by the global health authority.
The misleading information originated from an article published by The People’s Voice, which alleged that the WHO had issued an urgent directive for governments worldwide to halt elections and implement strict lockdown measures in response to a bird flu emergency. The article, dated June 6, 2024, appeared just weeks before the first general election debate in the United States, raising concerns about the timing and accuracy of the claims.
According to the article’s introduction, the WHO purportedly stated, “The World Health Organization (WHO) has ordered governments worldwide to cancel upcoming elections and prepare to rollout strict lockdowns due to a Bird Flu ‘disease outbreak emergency.'” The piece suggested that the organization had declared bird flu as a potential pandemic, even more severe than COVID-19.
However, a thorough review of the WHO’s official communications reveals no such orders regarding the cancellation of elections. During a press briefing held on July 11, 2024, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussed the ongoing bird flu outbreak but did not mention any directives to suspend elections. Instead, he emphasized the importance of enhancing influenza surveillance, safeguarding farmers who may come into contact with infected birds, and ensuring that flu virus data is shared in accessible databases.
To further investigate these claims, PesaCheck reached out to the WHO via email. Rayyan Sabet-Parry, a Communications Officer at the organization, clarified that the allegations of ordering election cancellations are entirely false. He stated, “Please note that this is false as WHO cannot order governments to cancel elections.” This response underscores the organization’s commitment to transparency and factual communication regarding public health matters.
In addition to this incident, PesaCheck has previously scrutinized another article related to bird flu from the same media outlet and found it to be misleading. This highlights a concerning trend of misinformation surrounding health crises and their implications for governance and public policy.
The spread of misinformation on platforms like X and Facebook poses significant challenges, especially in times of public health emergencies. PesaCheck is actively engaged in fact-checking content flagged as potentially misleading on social media. By collaborating with platforms like Facebook, third-party fact-checkers aim to provide the public with accurate information, helping to differentiate fact from fiction.
As misinformation can have far-reaching consequences, it is vital for individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter online. If you come across content that appears to be false or misleading, there are mechanisms in place for reporting such misinformation on social media platforms.
PesaCheck’s ongoing efforts to combat misinformation are part of a broader initiative to promote informed decision-making and public awareness during health crises. By providing context and clarity, fact-checking organizations play an essential role in maintaining the integrity of information shared in the digital age.
