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The same Russian social media trolls accused of interfering in the 2016 US elections could be behind the deadly measles outbreak in Europe last year, according to a new report .
Scientists believe that St. Petersburg's troll farm also broadcast anti-vaccination propaganda, contributing to the outbreak that killed 72 people and infected more than 82,000 people, reported Radio Free Europe.
In a study published by the American Public Health Association in September, researchers examined trolls' online messages from July 2014 to September 2017 and concluded that their posts were responsible for "eroding public consensus." on vaccination ".
According to the World Health Organization, reluctance to vaccination is now one of the top 10 threats to global health.
Measles – which was about to be eradicated in many countries – has seen a 30% increase worldwide.
"The reasons for this increase are complex and not all of these cases are attributable to hesitation to vaccination," noted the WHO. "However, some countries that were on the verge of eliminating the disease have experienced a resurgence."
Click here to read more about this article at the New York Post, where it originally appeared.
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