{"id":153333,"date":"2020-02-10T12:00:30","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T12:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=153333"},"modified":"2020-02-17T10:43:04","modified_gmt":"2020-02-17T10:43:04","slug":"coronavirus-un-health-agency-moves-fast-to-tackle-infodemic-guterres-warns-against-stigmatization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2020\/02\/coronavirus-un-health-agency-moves-fast-to-tackle-infodemic-guterres-warns-against-stigmatization\/","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus: UN Health Agency Moves Fast to Tackle \u2018Infodemic\u2019; Guterres Warns against Stigmatization"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

4 Feb 2020 – 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 \u201cinfodemic\u201d fuelled by false information.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 Ant\u00f3nio Guterres <\/a>called for international solidarity and an end to any ill-founded discrimination of the outbreak\u2019s victims.<\/p>\n

\u2018Cloud\u2019 Rumours False<\/strong><\/p>\n

WHO<\/a> Director of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, Sylvie Briand, told journalists in Geneva on Tuesday that the agency has already moved fast to dispel an online rumour that the virus can be caught from an infectious \u201ccloud\u201d:<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople had suddenly the impression that the virus was in the air and\u2026there is this cloud of virus\u201d that can cause infection, she said. \u201cThis is not the situation. Currently the virus is transmitted through droplets and you need a close contact to be infected\u2026So 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Briand\u2019s comments echo those of WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom <\/a>Ghebreyesus<\/a>, who on Monday said that the agency was working with major internet platforms to ensure that WHO\u2019s information about the coronavirus appears\u00a0first in online searches.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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,\u00a0and what is not known.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In the two weeks since the virus was declared a global health emergency by the WHO\u2019s Emergency Committee, Dr Briand said there is no evidence that the virus has mutated significantly.<\/p>\n

\n

Q: How dangerous is the #2019nCoV<\/a>?
A: https:\/\/t.co\/j6HsqP9iJb<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/z5t8e1oA6S<\/a><\/p>\n

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) February 4, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n