Fact Check: Viral post about Indian Student finding COVID-19 cure and its acceptance by WHO is fake
- By: Urvashi Kapoor
- Published: Jul 14, 2020 at 08:16 PM
- Updated: Jul 15, 2020 at 07:17 PM
New Delhi (Vishvas News): A viral post on social media claims that a student from Pondicherry University has found a home remedy for COVID-19 which is for the very first time has been accepted by World Health Organization (WHO). It is further claimed that the remedy is made by adding one tablespoon of black pepper powder to 2 tablespoons of honey and some ginger juice for consecutive 5 days would suppress the effects of coronavirus. Vishvas News investigated and found that the viral post is fake. Pondicherry University refuted the claim made in the viral post. World Health Organization (WHO) has also not approved any medicine or vaccine as a cure for COVID-19, so far.
Claim
A Facebook post shared by a page named Aaina “The Mirror Of Democracy” reads: “Finally a INDIAN student from PONDICHERRY university, named RAMU found a home remedy cure for Covid-19 which is for the very first time accepted by WHO. He proved that by adding 1 tablespoon of black pepper powder to 2 table spoons of honey and some ginger juice for consecutive 5 days would suppress the effects of corona. And eventually go away 100%. Entire world is starting to accept this remedy. Finally a good news In 2020!! PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.” The viral message can be read here.
Investigation
We read the comments in the viral posts. Many users commented on the post that this is fake news as there is no evidence supporting the claim. Users have also asked the source of the message but there is no reply from the page admin.
Vishvas News investigated by breaking down various elements of the viral claim.
The post claimed that an Indian Student from Pondicherry University found a COVID-19 cure. We reached out to PROF. S. BALAKRISHNAN, Director, Pondicherry University who refuted the claim. “This is misinformation viral in the name of Pondicherry University. None of our students has made any coronavirus-related cure.”
In an email conversation, Prof. Gurmeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University also refuted the claim by saying, “This is a fake news”.
This was clear that the claim stating that a student from Pondicherry University discovered the COVID-19 cure is fake.
The viral message further claimed that World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the medicine or vaccine discovered by a student of Pondicherry University for the COVID-19 cure.
World Health Organization (WHO) answered a question on its Q & A page on coronavirus (COVID-19): Is there a vaccine or drug for COVID-19? The answer stated: While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of mild COVID-19, there are no medicines that have been shown to prevent or cure the disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials of both western and traditional medicines.
If any such vaccine was discovered as claimed in the viral post, it would have made headlines.
The viral post further claims that the remedy made of ginger, honey and black pepper for five consecutive days will successfully remove coronavirus from the body.
Vishvas News reached out to Dr. Vimal N from the Ministry of AYUSH. He said: “Ginger, honer, and black pepper may help against cough but there is no evidence that it can cure COVID-19.“
Ministry of AYUSH has advised people to consume decoction made of certain ingredients in its advisory. The advisory clearly mentions that while there is no medicine for COVID-19 as of now, certain home remedies can be used as immunity boosters.
The post is shared on Facebook by a page named Aaina “The Mirror Of Democracy”. We scanned the profile of the page and found that the page has 3652 followers. The page was created on October 25, 2019.
Conclusion
Post claiming a student from Pondicherry University has found a home remedy for COVID-19 that has been accepted by World Health Organization (WHO) is fake. Pondicherry University refuted the claim made in the viral post. World Health Organization (WHO) has also not approved any medicine or vaccine as a cure for COVID-19, so far.
Disclaimer: The #CoronavirusFacts database records fact-checks published since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic and its consequences are constantly evolving and data that was accurate weeks or even days ago might have changed. Remember to check the date when the fact-check you are reading was published before sharing it.
- Claim Review : A student from Pondicherry University has found a home remedy for COVID-19 that has been accepted by World Health Organization (WHO)
- Claimed By : FB Page: Aaina
- Fact Check : False
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