The BBC announced on October 16 that it has partnered with WhatsApp to launch an Ebola public health information service in order to provide West Africans directly with the latest public health information in order to help them combat the deadly virus’ spread in the region.
To subscribe, send ‘JOIN’ via WhatsApp to +44 7702 348 651
To unsubscribe, send ‘STOP’ via WhatsApp to the same number.
The @BBCAfrica Twitter account sent out the following tweet to announce the launch:
LISTEN: BBC launches WhatsApp #Ebola service – Social Media Producer @andree_massiah explainshttp://t.co/MQUSBhHq2T pic.twitter.com/b7o2QuyMuc
— BBC Africa (@BBCAfrica) October 16, 2014
This is the biggest health information drive the BBC World Service has embarked on since their coverage of HIV/AIDS over 30 years ago. The BBC noted that “content will be limited to three items a day, and the service will be in English and French.”
Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone have been hardest hit by Ebola.
Ebola is said to have claimed over 4,500 lives since the outbreak at the start of this year. However, many say that figure is grossly underestimated. Some experts have predicted upwards of 5 million people could perish before the deadly virus is put to a complete stop.
Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter @AdelleNaz
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