Coronavirus: What misinformation has spread in Africa?

As cases of the coronavirus increase around the world, there's been a flurry of misleading or false news stories emerging, as well.

There have been relatively few confirmed cases of the virus in Africa so far, but the authorities in some countries in the continent are still having to deal with misinformation.

1. No, you don't need to shave your beard to protect against the virus

An old graphic created by the US health authorities about facial hair and respirators has been used incorrectly to suggest men should shave off their beards to avoid catching the coronavirus.

The Nigerian Punch newspaper's headline said: "To be safe from coronavirus, shave your beard, CDC warns"

We have added labels to the screenshots to indicate whether the story has been found to be "false" or used an "old photo".

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) image shows dozens of examples of facial hair and which ones to avoid when wearing a respirator mask. Beard styles such as Side Whiskers and the Zappa are approved but the Garibaldi and French Fork can interfere with the valve and prevent the respirator working properly.

The graphic is genuine - but it was created in 2017 (well before the coronavirus outbreak) for workers who wear tight-fitting respirators. Contrary to what's been reported, the CDC has not published it recently and it does not recommend that people shave off their beards.

Similar headlines have appeared in other countries, generating thousands of shares. Australian news outlet 7News posted on Twitter: "How your beard may unknowingly increase your risk of coronavirus."

Current UK health advice is that while masks are useful for medical staff in hospitals, "there is very little evidence of widespread benefit for members of the public".

2. Nigerian preacher fighting coronavirus

An evangelical preacher who claims he can cure the virus has also been the subject of disinformation.

Stories about David Kingleo Elijah, from the Glorious Mount of Possibility Church started spreading online after a video of him saying he would move to China to "destroy" the virus was uploaded on YouTube and shared on other platforms.

"I am going prophetically to destroy coronavirus. I am going to China, I want to destroy coronavirus," he says in the video.

A few days later, reports appeared in blogs alleging that he had travelled to China but had been admitted to hospital after contracting the virus. The blogs refer to the pastor under a different name - Elija Emeka Chibuke.

The photo used to show him in hospital is actually a photo of Adeshina Adesanya, a Nigerian actor popularly known as Pastor Ajidara, who died in hospital in 2017.

3. False posts about a taxi driver

A story about the Nigerian driver of a man diagnosed with coronavirus was posted on social media and shared by WhatsApp users - but is untrue.

According to the message, the taxi driver drove a "white man" diagnosed with coronavirus to a location that was quarantined. The Ogun state government then told the driver to go to hospital.

It was claimed the driver then tested positive for coronavirus - but escaped from hospital and threatened to spread the virus unless his family was paid 100m nairas ($274,000).

The report has been denied by the authorities.
The Ogun State government dismissed the claims in a statement, saying no patient had escaped from the isolation centre.

The original post appeared on a fake account of the private Africa Independent Television (AIT) network, which released a statement saying the page was not its official Facebook page.

It included a photo of the driver and named him as one Adewale Isaac Olorogun. However, exactly the same photo appeared in a Buzzfeed article about Libya and under a completely different name - Jude Ikuenobe.

Mr Ikuenobe told the BBC's Yemisi Adegoke he was shocked to learn that he was named in the posts and was distressed by some of the comments which contained violent threats against him.

"I haven't been moving around on my own. Anywhere I go, I'm moving with friends and family.

"Ever since [the post went viral] it has not been easy for me to cope."

Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa's first confirmed coronavirus case was an Italian man who flew into Lagos on 25 February.

Authorities say they have reached about 100 people who may have come into contact with him.

4 Cures
In Nigeria, a preacher posted a video and a poster claiming that pepper soup is a cure for coronavirus. The claim was also shared on WhatsApp.

There is no cure or specific treatment for coronavirus and the claim gives few details about the medicinal properties of pepper soup - a traditional spicy Nigerian dish.

The WHO says the outbreak has caused an "infodemic" of false and misleading information.

In Cape Verde, the tiny Portuguese-speaking West African nation, a post spread on social media claiming that a Brazilian doctor had recommended fennel tea as a cure for coronavirus. It prompted a rush for the herb in local markets, reported AFP.

The Brazilian health ministry has warned people not to share an article suggesting fennel as a cure for coronavirus.

The World Health Organization says that thorough and regular hand-washing is crucial in the fight to avoid infection.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51710617

@ op see 3310 Don dey browse ni?

Organise this news now

More misinformation

4. Kenya training session audio causes alarm
In Kenya, the government has had to put out a statement denouncing "fake news" about the coronavirus, which includes an audio recording, circulated on WhatsApp, claiming to be an official press briefing on the virus.
Twitter post by @SpokespersonGoK: PRESS RELEASE on fake news about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in the country.
Report
The recording states that there were 63 cases in the country, which is not true. There are currently no confirmed cases in Kenya.
The health ministry said it had been part of a communications training exercise but did not explain how it had been made public.
Under an existing law, Kenyans risk a fine of $50,000 (£39,000) or a two-year jail sentence for publishing or sharing fake news about an outbreak.
Twitter post by @MOH_Kenya: The Ministry of Health would like to caution the general public against an audio being shared on WhatsApp groups about confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Country. There is NO confirmed case of COVID-19 in Kenya. @KNH_hospital @CDCKenya @UNICEFKenya @WHOKenya @BreakingNewsKE Image Copyright @MOH_Kenya@MOH_KENYA
Report
Coronavirus: How can you protect yourself?
5. Cures
In Nigeria, a preacher posted a video and a poster claiming that pepper soup is a cure for coronavirus. The claim was also shared on WhatsApp.
There is no cure or specific treatment for coronavirus and the claim gives few details about the medicinal properties of pepper soup - a traditional spicy Nigerian dish.
The WHO says the outbreak has caused an "infodemic" of false and misleading information.
In Cape Verde, the tiny Portuguese-speaking West African nation, a post spread on social media claiming that a Brazilian doctor had recommended fennel tea as a cure for coronavirus. It prompted a rush for the herb in local markets, reported AFP.
The Brazilian health ministry has warned people not to share an article suggesting fennel as a cure for coronavirus.
The World Health Organization says that thorough and regular hand-washing is crucial in the fight to avoid infection.

helinues:
@ op see 3310 Don dey browse ni?

Organise this news now

Sorry for the mix up.

I'm looking for that 3310, if get let me know.

Pepper soup own crack me wella

How can someone open his mouth to claim pepper soup can cure virus

SocialFinance:


Sorry for the mix up.

I'm looking for that 3310, if get let me know.

@op leave that poster, he no dey read before comment

This is clear enough

Freetech:
Pepper soup own crack me wella

How can someone open his mouth to claim pepper soup can cure virus

Believe me Nigeria no dey carry last


You remember how using salt to cure ebola went viral then. Nigerian were even adding salt to their bath water.

If they like let them spend 500 billion dollars on NTA it will never match nor rival the likes of BBC.
cause I've never seen a national asslicking media service as NTA before. The sad thing now is that foreign media is now our go to outlet for info. When a foreign country is feeding your people news yet you expect them to be responsive and supportive.

Aidejay:
If they like let them spend 500 billion dollars on NTA it will never match nor rival the likes of BBC.
cause I've never seen a national asslicking media service as NTA before. The sad thing now is that foreign media is now our go to outlet for info. When a foreign country is feeding your people news yet you expect them to be responsive and supportive.

The real problems lie with the Nigerian media and bloggers.

Punch Newspaper used to be a very disciplined and reliable outlet until they allow politicians spoil them. Can you see they top the misinformation outlet in Africa.

Na so

There has been nothing real since Buhari came into power.....

Ghen Ghen! Nigerians ehn we too do. I knew when this Coronavirus news started spreading, it will get to a point where Nigerians wilk start their usual nonsense news and rumor spreadings just like the days of Ebola. We're never serious about anything in this country... Now see how all thise lies have gotten busted... I am still very sure that the news about the imaginary Italian man who brought Coronavirus to Naija and now getting better and suddenly eating Àmàlà is all FALSE! Useless country...

Blogger blogger

On Buhari’s $22.7 Billion Loan.

The North is too greedy (70% of the loan is for the North). The funny aspect is that resources from the Niger delta will be use to pay back 90% of the loan.The North will contribute absolutely nothing to the repayment plan.

How can my neighbor borrow money to develop his land for his children and my children will be responsible in paying back the loans while his children contribute nothing! What benefit does the South derive from the North?
I think the south especially the Niger deltans are very foolish. Very, Very Foolish indeed!

See washing.

All these bloggers won’t finish us with fake news. Too many Nigerians think the end justifies the means, when it comes to making money. That is what drives bloggers. Publish falsehood, cash out and delete the story once it appears there will be dire consequences.

The worst are those uncredited stories shared on WhatsApp to our Old parents.

Anyway, Fear-mongering for profit is a despicable hustle.

Fake news is spreading in Nigeria due to ignorance and poverty, let a church produce anointing water against coronavirus and see how gullible Nigerians will rush to buy it

It's very annoying to be seeing fake news and people falling so much for them.

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Fake news has eaten deep into Nigerian media no thanks to social media.

And lots of people just rush to spread it without confirming the stories.

It is so unfortunate that we have turned this thing into a circus.

A lot of Nigerian media agencies and bloggers are nothing but a thicket of idiots. Fact.

Well, some dumb people find joy in creating panic by spreading false news.


The worse part is you will see educated Nigerians sharing fake WhatsApp messages on groups...


Very pathetic!!!

Make una no fear, Corona virus no fit survive Nigeria for 30 seconds

heat and sweat go finish am

Finally

All na wash

But BBC oh cnn oh media na wash

If u know i know

All for the money

It's just funny how we, Nigerians, take advantage of situations to 'siphon' money. All rumours and fake news are spread to justify the 'about 1billion NGN' requested to contain the outbreak.

The '~1 billion NGN' people ( I no mention person name o) should remember that you can't contain a situation when you don't have the capacity!

Everything about Africa and Africans are always different.

This virus has been in other continents and there were no such news as this food has the cure or an infected patient trying to sneak out or run away or a fake taxi that carried a fake Italia man getting infected and threatening to spread it if not given some money etc..

But as soon as it landed in Africa, gbam! (That is if is in Africa because Africans can lie for Africa) rumours started flying from left, right and center

African leaders started praying for the virus to come into their country so they could embezzle money through it.

Even in a certain African country, the comm. of health of a particular state in the country claimed a ghost who is an Italian brought the virus in, after sometime they claimed he wanted to run away, few moments later they said he was recovering and amala seems to be a cure etc...

Blacks esp the ones in Africa see everything as an opportunity that should cashed in on.

My God please, in my next world, you can make me an air/stone in the western world than a human in Africa

Africa is sick!

some people even write bad news against another tribe daily on nairaland

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