January 18, 2007
Pork sales down in Beijing following SMS hoax health warning
Beijing butchers have reported pork sales are down by two-thirds following text messaging rumors that the meat in the capital contained a virus could lead to brain disease. People's Daily Online reports.
"A month before the beginning of the Year of the Pig, a mobile phone text message was circulated saying, "Do not eat pork at the moment. Pork in Beijing has been contaminated by a virus that can cause encephalitis, which can damage the brain."
Other versions of the message claimed that an insider from China's Ministry of Health had broken the news, and that presidents from all major Beijing-based hospitals were conferring for a solution.
The Beijing municipal government officially refuted the rumor on January 13. But the government's assurances have fallen on the deaf ears of many Beijing residents. China Daily reported cases of Beijingers, who had eaten pork, suffering psychosomatic attacks - complaining of an upset stomach or an imaginary pain."
Previously: - China warns: SMS Rumors Will Lead To Imprisonment
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