VIRAL messages spreading on social media claim there is a whooping cough or pertussis outbreak in Pahang's Rompin district.
The messages claim that the outbreak is worse than the Covid-19 pandemic and urge people to stay away from Pekan, Rompin and even Pahang as a whole.
Is whooping cough really raging out of control in the district as claimed?
VERDICT:
FALSE
Unlike the spread of this viral fake news, the contagion level of the disease is well under control, says the Pahang Health Department.
In a recent statement, state Health director Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus said the messages not only give an untrue picture of the situation, but are also designed to spread fear among the people using unfounded claims.
The messages started spreading after the department issued a notice on Aug 14 to say that there had been cases of whooping cough detected in Rompin.
Dr Nor Azimi said the infections occurred among three members of the same family in Kampung Bahagia there.
According to protocol, two or more cases of a disease in one locality are considered an outbreak.
However, Dr Nor Azimi said, measures to contain the infection were implemented swiftly and no new cases had been detected to date.
"I ask everyone on social media to not give credence to statements that are meant to incite panic such as (these viral messages).
"They exaggerate the situation and should not be circulated. Rompin is safe to visit and the cases of whooping cough are under control," she added.
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