When communication from health officials weakens, and distrusting actors fill the gaps, everyone’s health is put at risk.
The first half of 2026 has been marked by three different disease outbreaks: Ebola , hantavirus and, in Australia, diphtheria . Each has exposed vulnerabilities in how we detect, communicate and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Each of these outbreaks has its unique challenges. But a common thread has been distrust in healthcare or a lack of information where misinformation has filled the vacuum.
We’ve seen this play out in different ways across the globe, with devastating results. So how do we address this distrust so we can better respond to future outbreaks?
Ebola
Distrust, rumours and misinformation have repeatedly emerged as major barriers to controlling Ebola. This includes in the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). For example, past surveys of community members have identified misunderstandings about Ebola (including believing it’s not real), about how people are diagnosed, and revealed low levels of trust in healthcare.
These issues have hampered how cases of Ebola are identified, discouraged people to seek timely health care or to hide cases, and have undermined public health interventions . In late May, we heard how some DRC residents set fire to a tent set up by the humanitarian group Médecins Sans Frontières for suspected and confirmed Ebola cases. This led to 18 people suspected of having Ebola leaving the facility.
The trigger for this and similar examples was the announcement of a ban on large funeral wakes and gatherings. Authorities, rather than families, would now also start to manage the burials of suspected victims due to the infection risk associated with infected bodies, body fluids, contaminated clothing and other personal items.
In 2014 the World Health Organisation developed a safe and dignified burial protocol for local health authorities, in response to past clusters. This stressed the handling of human remains should be kept to a minimum and that cultural and religious concerns must be considered. It also stressed no burial should begin until the family agreed.
For families to accept the safe burial practice, they must both trust the healthcare providers implementing the protocols and the institutions directing the response. This was clearly not the case where the unrest occurred at the Ebola treatment centre, and at another centre where family members tried to retrieve the body of a man suspected of dying of Ebola.
Hantavirus
Misinformation often thrives and spreads where trust is weak and communication is absent . For instance, when transparent public health messaging is delayed, rumours and speculation can quickly fill information vacuums. We’ve seen an example play out with the recent cruise ship hantavirus outbreak.
Several public health experts based in the United States have argued the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) was less visible , slower to communicate publicly and less internationally prominent than in previous outbreaks. At the start of the outbreak top CDC officials didn’t appear on TV shows or give interviews about the risk to the US public. In the past , the agency would often take the lead in coordinating responses to such events.
Instead, others have filled the vacuum , including influencers spreading misinformation via social media about the virus’s pandemic potential, unproven treatments, and false links to vaccination.
Diphtheria
The recent diphtheria outbreak in Australia is another example of how information vacuums can undermine an outbreak response. Warlpiri man Eugene Penhall told Guardian Australia locals were frustrated with the lack of information about diphtheria – including what caused it and how to prevent it. In particular, they wanted information that applied to daily life in a community where housing is overcrowded and living standards are poor .
The challenges are complex, including inequitable access to health care in remote communities, and dealing with a disease many health workers and communities had not encountered for decades. But unlike an outbreak of hantavirus, diphtheria can be prevented by vaccination . So, if vaccination is to succeed, health authorities need to better target communication about the vaccine and explore ways to enhance local delivery to build and maintain trust.
What can we do to restore trust?
Transparency in a complex outbreak response should acknowledge what is known. That is, it should provide clear explanations for the reasons behind certain decisions. It should also acknowledge what is unknown. That means recognising policy drawbacks or scientific uncertainties.
When we learn more about a disease, public health messages can change and this should be communicated transparently and honestly . It’s not a back-flip. Science evolves and so should public health advice. From the lessons learnt during past events,…
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