What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Russian cyber units are spreading false information about flu and measles jabs in the UK, experts warn.

Vladimir Putin is believed to want to erode trust in US and European governments.

The state-sponsored units are spreading the lies on social media to destabilise Britain, it is claimed.

The Kremlin has previously been accused of attempting to influence Brexit and Scottish independence.

Now, it is feared it is trying to create distrust over flu jabs and the MMR measles vaccine.

Chris Phillips, former National Counter Terrorism Security Office head, warned Russian cyber farms have become a threat to daily life.

He told the Mirror today: “This is all about destabilisation by external forces. War is ever changing and becoming much more cyber-based.

“For generations, governments in the UK and the West have been extremely worried about destabilisation from external forces.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: PA)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“The Russians have long felt that the UK, America and the European Union is a major threat to them so have developed major strategies in how to interfere with politics, policy, and now it seems the interference is impacting on vital decisions in our daily lives.”

He added: “The art of being able to exert this control over a society is arguably one of the most powerful weapons available in modern warfare.

“If the Russian government, or whoever, wishes to exert this kind of influence, is able to cause difficulty in decisions, in trusting the government of the day in that country, or otherwise trusted media and news organisations, then so much the better for them.”

Security services are so concerned over the threat to public health and security that Government departments have been ordered to monitor social media and flag up risky articles.

Health chiefs have had emerg­ency meetings over the spread “fake news” over vaccination campaigns.

(Image: PA) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Public Health England and the Royal College of GPs have repeatedly expressed concern over the amount of made-up health news shared online and on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The widespread circulation of false health news on social networks is not only misleading but also very dangerous.

We can reveal public health officials are investigating whether an outbreak of measles last week in Liverpool and Leeds was fuelled by parents not vaccinating children due to “false information read on the internet”.

Russian cyber armies, pumping out hundreds of articles from thousands of fake accounts, are also accused of trying to influence Britons to vote for Brexit last June, to harm the EU, and to convince Scotland to vote to leave the UK in the 2014 poll.

(Image: PA)

On a global scale, it is believed social media “bots” – automated accounts – were used to interfere with the US election, to get Donald Trump voted in as President, and to back Catalans in their breakaway from Spain.

Mr Phillips, one of the most experienced cyber-security consultants, said: “Social media is a huge issue for Government.

“Whether it is misinformation by other government states or individuals, the power has moved from the Government into the hands of individuals who may wish to cause us harm.” He went on: “The emergence of ‘fake news’ is happening every day. It spreads fear and distrust through lies and misinformation.

“Military chiefs have long prepared for this, but we are battling an ever-increasing threat with new methods evolving every day.

(Image: Getty)

“Now, we’re seeing every aspect of our lives being affected. One thing is for certain, nothing is off limits.” Measles was nearly eliminated in Britain during the 1990s, but bad publicity meant MMR vaccination rates subsequently fell to below 85% in 2005.

Health chiefs are worried huge strides made with the introduction of information programmes in schools and comm­unities could be undone because of external forces, such as the Russian cyber armies, pushing false agendas.

A public health investigation is also under way to determine whether unvaccinated children had picked up the virus when visiting mainland Europe, where there had been recent outbreaks, and were spreading it in schools and nurseries.

Earlier this month, Public Health England issued emergency advice following the outbreaks of measles in Liverpool and Leeds.

Dr Mary Ramsay, its head of immunisation, said: “All of the cases we’re seeing are in children and young adults who haven’t received the MMR vaccine.

(Image: Reuters)

“This serves as an important reminder for parents to take up the offer of the MMR vaccination for their children when offered at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years and four months of age. If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, it’s important to take up the vaccine now from GPs, particularly in light of the recent cases in Liverpool and Leeds.”

A PHE spokesman urged parents to follow official advice. He said: “When we get vaccinated, or take our children for their vaccinations, we protect ourselves and our loved ones.

“We have an exceptional and trusted vaccination programme offered through the NHS for people at every stage of life.

“Vaccines have to be thoroughly tested for safety before they’re made routinely available.

“If you are unsure if you are up to date with all immunisations, speak to your GP or use other trusted sources like the NHS Choices website.”

The Gerasimov Doctrine

The Gerasimov Doctrine is a theory of how cyber-warfare rather than weapons can help armies achieve their goals.

Russia’s armed forces chief, General Valery Gerasimov, used the term “hybrid war” in a 2013.

He said the role of non-military means had grown so much that “using long distance, contactless actions against the enemy” exceeds the power of force in their effectiveness.