Don’t Be Misled by Claims of Maldivian Swine Flu Patients at Lanka Hospital! Find out the facts…

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For various reasons, Sri Lanka is a popular travel destination among Maldivians. Some Maldivians also come to Sri Lanka for advanced medical treatments.

In this context, a viral WhatsApp message claiming that a large Maldivian contingent diagnosed with Swine Flu was getting treated at a private hospital in Sri Lanka garnered much attention from both countries. However, the Factcrescendo team found these claims unfounded, and Lanka Hospitals has denied the same.

Social Media Posts

A viral message circulating on social media claims that approximately 200 Maldivians are being treated for swine flu at Lanka Hospital, with some fatalities reported.

"Hi everyone, don't step into Lanka Hospital. 200 Maldivians have come because they are all sick, and all have been diagnosed with swine flu. Already, 2-3 have died. 52 are not sure."

The same message was shared among Facebook users as well.

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We decided to do a fact-check on this.

Fact Check

Contact with Authorities

We contacted Dr Asela Gunawardhana, the Health Director General of Sri Lanka, who confirmed that no cases of swine flu had been reported at Lanka Hospital recently. He categorically stated that the viral message is false and no Maldivian patients with swine flu are being treated at the facility.

Statements from Lanka Hospital

We contacted the Lanka Hospital regarding the same, and the communications department categorically denied the viral message.

Lanka Hospitals has also issued an official notice denying the claims of treating Maldivians with swine flu. The hospital clarified that no such cases had been diagnosed or treated there, and the rumours are entirely baseless.

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Maldivian Media Reports

Our review of Maldivian media sources found no reports of a swine flu epidemic. The absence of such reports further supports the conclusion that the viral message is misinformation.

Interestingly, we noticed that some Maldivian media have also shared Lanka Hospital's notice, helping to counter the spread of the false claim. More details can be reached here.

Recurring Message from 2017

Further research revealed that the current viral claim is a recurring claim from 2017, as seen here, at a time similar to the present when there were concerns about the spreading of bird flu from different parts of the world.

However, in 2017 also, the group's chief executive officer refuted these claims, as seen in the hospital's official statement below.

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What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by a type of influenza A virus. While initially associated with pigs, it can affect humans. A significant pandemic occurred in 2009 when a novel H1N1 strain emerged, but the virus continues to circulate seasonally.

Symptoms resemble regular seasonal influenza, including fever, cough, and body aches. While most recover fully, severe illness can occur in specific groups. Transmission can occur through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face.

Preventive measures include vaccination, hand hygiene, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. Most people recover from swine flu without needing medical treatment, but some cases can be severe, particularly in young children, elderly individuals, and those with underlying health conditions.

In collaboration with the WHO and OIE, the FAO monitors swine flu closely, emphasising the importance of surveillance and rapid response to potential outbreaks. While the current risk to humans is considered low, the organisations remain vigilant to prevent future pandemics.

Here is a recent statement by the FAO urging immediate action as new avian influenza variants (novel A/H5N1 strains - Type A influenza virus often originating in aquatic birds) threaten Asia and the Pacific region. More on this here.

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Conclusion

The viral message claiming that 200 Maldivians are being treated for swine flu at Lanka Hospital is completely false. The Sri Lankan health authorities and Lanka Hospital have confirmed the absence of such cases. Additionally, there are no reports of a swine flu epidemic in the Maldives.

We advise the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unverified claims.