Quick Fact Check: Fake Post About Indian Student Finding COVID-19 Cure And Its Acceptance By WHO Resurfaces

New Delhi (Vishvas News): A post has resurfaced on social media which claims that 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). The claim further stated that the home remedy is made by mixing black pepper, honey and some ginger juice and to be consumed for 5 days and this would suppress the effects of coronavirus. Vishvas News investigated and found that the viral post is fake. Pondicherry University refuted the claim that a student from their university has made a COVID-19 home remedy. WHO has also not approved any such medicine for COVID-19.

Claim

The post resurfaced on social media reads: “*A Good News* Finally an 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 archived version of the post can be checked here.

Investigation

Vishvas News started its investigation by breaking down the elements of the viral claim.

As per the claim, an Indian Student from Pondicherry University found a COVID-19 cure. Vishvas News spoke to Professor S. BALAKRISHNAN who is the Director of Pondicherry University. He refuted the claim by saying: “This is misinformation viral in the name of Pondicherry University. None of our students has made any coronavirus-related cure.”

As per the second claim, World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the medicine discovered by a student of Pondicherry University for the COVID-19 cure.

We investigated and found that as per WHO, 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.

The complete fact check of the post can be checked by clicking here.

Vishvas News also 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.“

The post is shared on Facebook by a user named Nitin Sawant. We scanned the profile of the user and found that the user is based out of Mumbai.

Conclusion

Vishvas News investigated and found that the viral post is fake. Pondicherry University refuted the claim that a student from their university has made a COVID-19 home remedy. WHO has also not approved any such medicine for COVID-19.

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.