Coronavirus WhatsApp Message is Fake, Here is the Actual Ministry of Health Advisory

While the fear around the Coronavirus and its proliferation is on the rise, misinformation regarding the disease is also increasing and being spread through WhatsApp. A Coronavirus WhatsApp message has gone viral and is rapidly doing the rounds saying that it is an advisory issued by the Ministry of Health.

The message says that the way to prevent the virus from spreading is by “keeping one’s throat moist”. The following is the viral WhatsApp forward on Coronavirus:

“Most Urgent,Very Serious, Important information

Ministry of health’s emergency notification to the public that the Coronavirus influenza outbreak this time is very very serious & fatal. There's no cure once you are infected. Its spreading from China to various countries

Prevention method is to keep your throat moist, do not let your throat dry up. Thus do not hold your thirst because once your membrane in your throat is dried, the virus will invade into your body within 10 mins.

Drink 50-80cc warm water, 30-50cc for kids, according to age. Everytime u feel your throat is dry, do not wait, keep water in hand. Do not drink plenty at one time as it doesn’t help, instead continue to keep throat moist.

Till end of March 2020, do not go to crowded places, wear mask as needed especially in train or public transportation. Avoid fried or spicy food and load up vitamin C.

The symptoms/ description are:  repeated high fever, prolonged coughing after fever, Children are prone, Adults usually feel uneasy, headache and mainly respiratory related, highly contagious”

While the grammar and tone of the message do indicate that the Coronavirus WhatsApp Message is fake, it is still widely being shared for the fear regarding the spread of the disease in high.

The fact of the matter is that the Ministry of Health has issued no such advisory. The actual advisory tweeted by the ministry is as follows:

1. All non-essential travel to China to be avoided.
2. The list of airports for screening passengers for symptoms of Coronavirus has now increased to 21.
3. Passengers are being screened through hand-held thermal devices for Coronavirus.
4. Symptoms of Coronavirus include acute onset of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

Actual Precautionary Measures on the Coronavirus issued by the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health has tweeted a few precautions that could be taken by people travelling to China to reduce their chances of being infected by the Coronavirus

1. Frequently clean hands with soap, water or an alcohol-based rub.
2. When coughing or sneezing, cover mouth and nose with hands or tissue. Throw away the tissue immediately and wash hands.
3. Avoid close contact with anyone that has fever and cough.
4. Thoroughly cook meat and eggs.
5. Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.