Durban - Msunduzi Municipality has called for the public not to panic after fake news about typhoid fever as a result of water contamination was shared and circulated on social media platforms purporting to be authored by a private hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
On Friday, the city said it was concerned about the fake news that has resurfaced and is circulating on social media in relation to water contamination.
“An anonymous message is once again circulating on various social media platforms concerning fears that ‘typhoid’ fever may have compromised water quality. The municipality assures residents that Msunduzi water is safe to drink,” said the city.
The municipality said the hospital had confirmed that the alert being circulated was not issued by it.
The hospital also confirmed that it had not treated or managed numerous people with typhoid fever, as stated in the fake post.
The municipality said drinking water quality is based on standards in accordance with SANA 241.
Umgeni Water has confirmed that water is safe to drink without boiling or further disinfection, it added.
“The municipality appeals to consumers to ignore such messages and only heed those coming directly from official sources of public information,” said the city.