Wuhan pneumonia: WHO warns of false news spread in epidemic crisis

Wuhan pneumonia: WHO warns of false news spread in epidemic crisis

The death toll from new coronavirus pneumonia is still rising, and false information and conspiracy theories in the epidemic crisis have become a major challenge in fighting the virus.

The World Health Organization warns that some maliciously provocative posts and conspiracy theories have affected the response to the new coronavirus epidemic.

As of the morning of Monday (February 10), more than 40,000 people have been diagnosed with new-type pneumonia worldwide, most of whom are infected in Hubei, China. The virus has killed more than 900 people.

WHO warning

World Health Organization Director-General Tan Desai told reporters that the misinformation makes the work of WHO more difficult.

"People must have access to accurate information to protect themselves and others," Tendsee said. He believes that misinformation about the new coronavirus "causes public concern and spreads panic."

"The World Health Organization is not only fighting the virus, we are also fighting the misinformation and conspiracy theories that undermine our response to the epidemic," he said.

"As the Guardian said today, misinformation about the coronavirus is probably the most contagious."

The article, published in the Guardian Review section, was written by epidemiologist Adam Kucharski. Kuhalsky believes that the best way to combat online rumors is to "treat them like real viruses."

Cui Tiankai refutes allegations

Earlier rumors said that the new coronavirus came from Wuhan Virus Research Institute. Many accounts quoted two Washington Times reports that cited allegations made by the same former Israeli military intelligence officer.

However, neither report provided relevant evidence, and the Israeli intelligence officials in the article pointed out that there is currently "no evidence or evidence" that the Wuhan Institute of Virology has had such a leak.

The BBC asked the Washington Times but did not reply.

US Senator Tom Cotton has earlier questioned that the virus was leaked by the Wuhan Virus Research Institute and could be part of China's biological warfare. China ’s ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, responded to a CBS interview on Sunday (9th), saying that the allegations were “crazy”.

"I don't think many things are clear to us," Cui Tiankai said. "Scientists in China, the United States, and even the world are trying their best to understand the virus, but it raises questions, rumors, and spreads very bad and dangerous. This will incite race Discrimination, xenophobia, all of these will hinder our joint efforts to fight the virus. "

Cui Tiankai also said that many people said that the virus might come from Chinese or American military laboratories. "How can we believe these crazy claims?"