Debunking the Chengdu AIDS Rumor: Police Arrest Suspect and Warn Against Spreading False Information

The Chengdu police have taken swift action to investigate and debunk the rumor. On March 17, the Chengdu Public Security Bureau's Wuhou District Branch issued a statement on its official WeChat account, stating that the rumor was false and that the person responsible for spreading the rumor had been arrested. The police warned that spreading false information on the internet is a serious offense and that those who engage in such behavior will be severely punished. According to the police, the person responsible for spreading the rumor, named Tang, had a personal grudge against Shi and had fabricated the story to exact revenge. Tang was detained for five days for spreading false information, and the police urged the public to be vigilant and not to believe or spread unverified information on the internet.

The incident began when a social media user spread false information on a short-video platform, claiming that an AIDS carrier had infected a large number of female clients in Chengdu, resulting in 170,000 people contracting the disease. The Wuhou District Public Security Bureau of Chengdu received a report and immediately launched an investigation, quickly apprehending the suspect, Tang. During the investigation, Tang confessed that he had fabricated and spread the false information due to a dispute with an individual named Shi. Tang had created the rumor to vent his personal grievances. After a thorough interrogation, Tang admitted to fabricating and spreading the false information due to a quarrel with Shi on WeChat.

The police reminded the public that the internet is not a lawless space and that those who fabricate and spread rumors, disrupting social order, will be severely punished according to the law. The police also warned against spreading unverified online information and encouraged citizens to report any rumors to the authorities immediately, in order to maintain a healthy online environment. As a result, Tang was given a 5-day administrative detention by the public security organ in accordance with Article 25 of the Public Security Administration Punishments Law.

This incident highlights the harm caused by online rumors. The public security authorities have lawfully given Tang a 5-day administrative detention, reminding the public to remain vigilant and not to blindly believe, forward, or spread unverified online information. At the same time, it calls on netizens to jointly maintain a healthy online environment. If anyone discovers a rumor, they are urged to immediately dial 110 or report it to the public security authorities. This serves as a warning to those who would seek to spread false information, and underscores the importance of verifying information through official channels to prevent the spread of harmful rumors. By working together, we can prevent the dissemination of false information and protect the public from the potential harm caused by rumors.

When it comes to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, experts note that the number of infected individuals in a given area can be determined through various methods, including data reported by local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as sampling surveys and estimates of infection rates. Moreover, the public release of local CDC data can provide a more accurate reflection of the disease's spread and help dispel rumors. It's essential to differentiate between HIV infection and AIDS, as the latter refers to the advanced stage of HIV infection, also known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. A person is considered to have AIDS only when specific clinical symptoms and markers are present. Early treatment with antiretroviral therapy can significantly reduce the likelihood of an HIV infection progressing to AIDS.

To estimate the number of HIV infections in a region, researchers often rely on reported data from local CDCs, which track instances of HIV and AIDS as notifiable diseases. According to available data, China reported 115,000 new AIDS cases in 2023, with a total of 1.29 million reported HIV and AIDS cases by the end of the same year. However, these numbers may not reflect the actual prevalence of the disease, as many infected individuals may not have undergone testing. The public release of local CDC data can help alleviate concerns and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS. For example, in New York City, which has a significant HIV epidemic, the reported data shows that there were 1,686 new HIV infections in 2023, with an estimated 88,000 people living with HIV in the city of over 8 million residents. This translates to approximately 1% of the city's population being HIV-positive.

Ultimately, it's crucial to rely on accurate information and scientific evidence when discussing HIV/AIDS, rather than perpetuating misconceptions and stigma. By promoting a fact-based understanding of the disease and its transmission, we can work towards more effective prevention and control strategies.