On 29 June 2020 EPI-WIN, WHO Information Network for Epidemics kicks off the 1st WHO Infodemiology Conference to discuss formation of a trans-disciplinary science that will underpin infodemic management and inform evidence-based infodemic management interventions. In the pre-conference experts engaged with the public with 7 inspiring talks how the infodemic affects the world currently and reflections how it can be managed.

The phenomenon of an ‘infodemic’ has escalated to a level that requires a coordinated response. An infodemic is an overabundance of information – some accurate and some not – occurring during an epidemic. Like pathogens in epidemics, misinformation spreads further and faster and adds complexity to health emergency response.

In April 2020 WHO convened a public consultation to crowdsource ideas for an infodemic management framework, with a whole-of-society perspective. Everyone has a role to play in infodemic response, and from the response, it became clear that establishing the foundations of the science of infodemic management was a priority for all regions of the world.

Speakers: 

• David Nabarro, WHO COVID-19 Special Envoy and Imperial College Institute of Global Health Innovation, UK
• Camille François, Berkman-Klein Center for Internet & Society, Harvard University, USA
• Catherine Gicheru, ICFJ Knight Fellow, Kenya
• Rustam Haydarov, UNICEF
• Saad Omer, Yale University, USA
• Harry Sufehmi, MAFINDO, Indonesia
• Claire Wardle, FirstDraft News, UK
• Sylvie Briand, WHO
• Tim Nguyen, WHO