Polio Pulse

Polio Pulse provides social listening insights to support GPEI’s polio interventions on disinformation, crisis communication, and strategic communication. Data is monitored from polio-endemic and outbreak countries and geographies classified by GPEI, covering 12 major languages spoken in these regions. The platform is managed by the UNICEF Digital Community Engagement (DCE) team.

Low Risk

Post touts watermelon seeds as a cure for polio

Geography
Nigeria
Themes
Conspiracy theories
Necessity

Analysis

A social media post with nearly 2,000 engagements claims watermelon seeds can cure polio and many other diseases. Several responses suggest that seedless watermelon is promoted to keep people unhealthy.

Recommendations

Despite the post’s relatively high engagement, responding to each piece of misinformation may detract from priority talking points. If organizations wish to address the false claim, continuing to emphasize that polio has no cure and that vaccines are the only way to protect against the disease is recommended.