Coronavirus: UN health agency moves fast to tackle ‘infodemic’; Guterres warns against stigmatization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken steps to ensure that the coronavirus epidemic that has claimed hundreds of lives in central China does not spark a dangerous social media “infodemic” fuelled by false information.

And in the face of concerns that people of Chinese descent are being discriminated against as fears grow over the spread of the disease, UN chief António Guterres called for international solidarity and an end to any ill-founded discrimination of the outbreak’s victims.

WHO Director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, Sylvie Briand, told journalists in Geneva that the agency has already moved fast to dispel an online rumour that the virus can be caught from an infectious “cloud”:

“People had suddenly the impression that the virus was in the air and…there is this cloud of virus” that can cause infection, she said. “This is not the situation. Currently, the virus is transmitted through droplets and you need a close contact to be infected…So we try to clarify what we know about the science – what is still unknown – and provide recommendations that can help people to protect themselves and their families.”

To date, the respiratory illness has claimed 425 lives, according to WHO; there are more than 20,000 reported cases in China and 158 cases outside the country.

In an appeal for global cooperation to combat the phenomenon, Dr. Briand said it was important not to censor information, but rather communicate what is known about the virus, and what is not known.

She said that those most at risk were those with reduced immunity because of underlying illnesses such as cancer and other chronic illnesses, in addition to senior citizens.

In the two weeks since the virus was declared a global health emergency by the WHO’s Emergency Committee, Dr. Briand said there is no evidence that the virus has mutated significantly.

It was also too soon to assess how dangerous the virus is, she added, reiterating the WHO’s advice that handwashing and wearing facemasks when coming into contact with infected individuals remain the recommended practice.

Highlighting the willingness of the Chinese authorities to tackle the outbreak, Dr. Briand said that scientists were keen to get more information on those who had died.

This would to help understand the key underlying health conditions that put people at risk, she said, adding that researchers are currently focusing on pregnant women and young children to see if infection patterns were similar to influenza.

Original source: UN News
Published on 04 February 2020