Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has dismissed claims of an airborne virus causing severe stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhoea.
The ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe, urged the public to seek official information from the relevant authorities.
“We don’t act on rumours. If there was anything at all, we would verify the veracity of that claim. What we do have is a cholera outbreak in the Kunene region and the measles outbreak, which we announced in December,” he said.
He added that the ministry has not recorded any other public health concerns and condemned the spread of misleading health information.
“If people come across information that is not verified, they should come to the source. We are responsible for public health, and if there is anything about a health outbreak, we would investigate and provide verifiable information to the public about how to address such a situation,” he said.
The warning follows the circulation of a message claiming that a virus affecting the stomach is in the air.
The message, attributed to “Sister Julie Olivier (Medi-Clinic),” said the virus causes severe cramps, nausea, and diarrhoea, urging people to seek immediate medical attention, especially for children.
Nangombe warned that spreading false health information is an offence under the Environmental Health Act.
“It is something that we discourage, and for that reason, people must refrain from such,” he said.
Nangombe reiterated that the ministry remains the primary source of health information in Namibia and urged the public to verify any health-related claims before spreading them.
He said the ministry continues to monitor public health concerns, including the cholera outbreak in Kunene and the measles outbreak announced in December.
This is not the first time the MoHSS has had to address misleading health information.
Earlier this year, the ministry raised concerns over advertisements promoting unverified health products, including aloe vera juice, which falsely claim to cure ailments such as ulcers, gastritis, and acidity.
The issue gained attention after medical doctor Bernhard Haufiku criticised these advertisements and called for stricter regulations.
He argued that such promotions mislead consumers and exploit public ignorance.
