False posts about Nipah virus prey on fear of spread in Philippines

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False posts about Nipah virus prey on fear of spread in Philippines

• Published on February 10, 2026 at 23:31
• 3 min read
• By Ara Eugenio, AFP Philippines

Philippine health officials say there is no active Nipah virus threat in the country and they are monitoring the situation after cases were contained in India in early 2026, rejecting social media claims the virus has reached the archipelago or triggered school suspensions. The Department of Health says the country has remained Nipah-free since 2014, and the Department of Education says it has not issued any school closure orders as a result of an outbreak.

"Nipah virus! Already in the Philippines!" reads Tagalog-language text on a Facebook graphic that has racked up more than 2,600 shares since it was posted on January 31, 2026.

Its caption states the public must avoid using or drinking running water between 6 pm and 2 am because "something that causes the virus is being mixed into the water supply".

"Until February 6, do not use water during these hours. Those who follow this will be safe; those who won't will not," the caption says.

Another Facebook graphic shared on February 3, purportedly created by Philippine news organisation GMA News, says classes have been suspended due to an outbreak of the Nipah virus.

The supposed advisory, bearing the logo of the Department of Health (DOH), reads: "No face to face classes. All levels, public and private schools. February 4, 2026."
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https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.96T349E