Rumors are created by fear, and fear is as real as facts for the people involved. Thus, rumors are spread as facts. The best way to deal with that kind of thing is to address the rumors head on. I find that anytime something happens, and the details cannot be shared, people will fill in the blanks with whatever feeds their fears. It is a human tendency, and it is a good idea to think in advance what kind of rumors might be generated by partially revealed truths.