WHO AIRA analysis of the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak infodemic identifies three structural vulnerabilities that enable misinformation spread. First, the official outbreak announcement triggered rapid information circulation, but institutional transparency gaps allowed false narratives to gain traction—58 percent of tracked conversations questioned outbreak legitimacy. Second, mistrust narratives emerged specifically around healthcare access, isolation practices, and cross-border coordination quality, suggesting that service delivery transparency directly impacts public confidence. Third, home remedy discussions (34 percent of discourse) and alternative treatment claims circulated alongside official guidance, indicating that public health messaging must actively address competing health narratives. For outbreak responders, this means prioritizing institutional accountability measures: transparent communication about care availability, isolation protocols, and regional preparedness. By addressing service gaps proactively, health authorities can reduce the conditions that allow misinformation to flourish.
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