DOH plans to ask cybercops, NTC to identify those behind Merscov scare

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

HEALTH officials are contemplating on asking the National Police’s cyber crime unit, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to help in identifying those responsible for last week’s Merscov scare in the city.

The revelation came even as the health department expressed dismay over false reports that a sick caregiver who came from Singapore was admitted to the hospital here on suspicion that she contracted the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (Merscov).

The Department of Health (DOH) is looking for a way to trace and determine the origins of the Merscov scare, said Dr. David Mendoza, head of the DOH’s Research Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit in Region 10.

Mendoza said the false report caused an embarrassment and public panic.

He said DOH officials in Manila also stepped in, and expressed interest in identifying those who should be held responsible for the Merscov scare especially after the Singaporean government expressed worry.

But he said the DOH was facing difficulties. “Naglisod kami sa pag-trace ani nga estorya asa gikan kay ang gi-pang-post (on social media) gipang-delete na man sa mga nag-post.”

Mendoza said the person who first went public with the false report and all those who spread it on social media were “irresponsible.”

He said the DOH would likely seek the help of experts from the police’s cybercrime unit, and the NTC in order to find out who first posted it on social media, and identify the owner of the cellphone that was used in sending out the first SMS that sparked the Merscov scare.

Mendoza also appealed to the news media to be careful about reporting about unverified matters that concern public health, saying that it is their responsibility not to make the public unnecessarily panic.