Parallel to the rapid spread of coronavirus from Wuhan China to 25 countries across the globe, spread of myths and even scientific studies with no peer reviews or 'preprints' on the novel virus has become viral and is contributing to fear and panic across the globe.
Even public health scientists have issued a statement condemning conspiracy theory claims on the origin of coronavirus. To combat confusions, World Health Organization stepped up and called for promotion the of scientific evidence and unity over misinformation and conjecture.
Preprints
Some scientific reports have linked coronavirus to AIDS, snakes, and even to pathogens from outer space. Reuters estimate that there are at least 153 studies ranging from genetic analyses, epidemiological papers, genetic analyses, and clinical reports from 675 researchers around the globe since the outbreak started. In contrast, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, such number of papers were published after more than a year from the outbreak.
The outbreak, according to Tom Sheldon, a science communications specialist at Britain's non-profit Science Media Centre led to the rise of "preprints" - or a practice in which a researcher immediately posts their findings online without external checks, scrutiny or validation. This, according to Sheldon leads to misinformation, fake-news leading to fear, panic, and confusion of the public.
Scientists Condemn Bogus Coronavirus Conspiracy Theory
Public health scientists yesterday issued a statement published in Lancelet condemning multiple social media posts and even a scientific paper speculating the possibility that COVID-19 has no natural origin, and that the virus was bioengineered in the laboratory.
The statement declared that based on studies, scientists from multiple countries overwhelmingly conclude that the 2019 new coronavirus originated from wildlife. "Conspiracy theories do nothing but create fear, rumors, and prejudice that jeopardize our global collaboration in the fight against this virus," the statement adds. It also issued support to Chinese public health workers and scientists who are in the front line of fighting the disease.
Earlier, multiple media posts also claimed that coronavirus has been patented and that a vaccine is already available was debunked by Factcheck.Org, clarifying that there is no available vaccine for the 2019 novel coronavirus, and there is no patent available yet.
It turned out that the patent being referred to is genetic sequence of the virus that causes SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, a disease that spread to dozens of countries in 2003, and of avian infectious bronchitis virus, or IBV, which infects poultry, and was developed to prevent and control viral diseases of livestocks.
WHO Steps Up to Bust Myths
As fears and misconceptions rapidly spread online, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General called for promotion of scientific evidence and unity over misinformation and conjecture. Graphics featuring myths busted by the WHO were created for easy downloading and dissemination.
Important and life-saving advisory such as the pneumococcal vaccine and the Haemophilus influenza type B do not provide protection against the new virus, or that there is no evidence that companion pets such as cats or dogs can be infected by coronavirus are among the those highlighted in the WHO advisory.