The memo did not originate from Nation Media Group.
This memo on X(formerly Twitter), purportedly from Nation Media Group’s (NMG) Human Relations department, stating that three cases of Mpox have been reported at the media organisation’s headquarters, is FAKE.
The memo, which is addressed to the company’s staff, is accompanied by a post that reads: “Party hard, but stay safe! MPOX is spreading through the crowds at events like Amapiano in Diani. Time to take precautions, Gen Z. MPOXAt NMG. Curfew (sic).”
Part of the purported memo states, “We are writing to inform you about a troubling development over the past few days we have observed an increase in Mpox cases around the country .This situation is serious and immediate preventive measures are necessary to safeguard the health of al employees.We note with regret that 3 cases have already been reported at NMG HQ with all affected and nearby individuals alerted.”
The memo is dated 19 August 2024.
This memo was shared amid the spread of Mpox in Africa and around the world. Subsequently, the World Health Organization declared it a global health emergency. In Kenya, the first case was reported in the Taita Taveta one-stop border point.
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.The disease causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions.
To determine the authenticity of the memo, a review of the official X(formerly Twitter) account of Nation Media Group was done and it was established that they had flagged it as fake.
The accompanying post states: “Please note that there have been no reported cases of Mpox at Nation Media Group, and as such, no advisories concerning the disease have been issued to staff.”
Additionally, Lake Region Bulletin reached out to Oliver Mathenge, a managing editor at NMG regarding the memo. Mathenge confirmed that the memo was not authentic and there were no cases of Mpox reported at NMG headquarters.
Lake Region Bulletin has established that a memo on X(formerly Twitter) purportedly from Nation Media Group Human Relations department stating that three cases of Mpox have been reported at the media organisation’s headquarters is FAKE.
This fact-check was produced by Lake Region Bulletin Lake Region Bulletin, under the African Fact-Checking Incubator programme, with support from PesaCheck , Code For Africa’s fact-checking initiative, and the African Fact-checking Alliance (AFCA).
