Busting coronavirus myths
- This article is more than one year old.
- Published on February 19, 2020 at 11:45
- Updated on July 5, 2022 at 12:32
- 475 min read
- By AFP FactCheck
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Here is a list of our 1395 fact-checks in English so far, starting with the most recent:
(AFP Graphics)
1395. Covid-19 vaccines not linked to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndromes
Social media posts claim "Sudden Adult Death Syndrome" is a new condition linked to the Covid-19 vaccine, proving that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is also a vaccine side effect. This is false; leading health organizations and medical experts say Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndromes (SADS) -- misnamed in the posts -- is not a new set of heart disorders, and neither SADS nor SIDS has been identified as an adverse event following vaccination.
27 June 2022
More here.
1394. US author Naomi Wolf falsely claims Covid-19 vaccinated mothers caused 'baby die-off'
A video clip of US author Naomi Wolf claiming that "there is a baby die-off" in infants born to Covid-19 vaccinated mothers has been viewed hundreds of times on Facebook. But the claim is false. Doctors' statements contradict Wolf's claims, and multiple studies show that vaccination against Covid-19 during pregnancy is safe.
27 June 2022
More here.
1393. Article falsely claims Justin Bieber linked facial paralysis to vaccine
Social media users shared an article that claims Justin Bieber said his facial paralysis was due to the Covid-19 vaccine. This is false; there is no evidence that Bieber made such a public comment, and the article comes from a website that has previously published false claims under the guise of "satire."
21 June 2022
More here.
1392. Malaysian social media users falsely claim 'Bill Gates has prepared billions of monkeypox vaccines'
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and TikTok alongside a claim that billionaire Bill Gates has "billions of doses of monkeypox vaccine on standby" as more than a thousand infections have emerged worldwide. However the video has been shared in a false context. The footage was taken during Gates' visit to a Covid-19 vaccine storage facility in Abu Dhabi in May 2022. His charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has told AFP that the claim is untrue.
15 June 2022
More here.
1391. Posts misleadingly link AstraZeneca Covid jab to monkeypox cases
Social media posts shared worldwide claim that recent cases of monkeypox outside of countries where it is endemic are a "side effect" of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, which uses a weakened chimpanzee adenovirus vector that has been altered so it does not infect humans or replicate. This is misleading; health experts told AFP the virus that causes monkeypox is different from AstraZeneca's adenovirus vector, which does not cause disease in humans.
14 June 2022
More here.
1390. This video was filmed in Paris -- it does not show students protesting Covid curbs in Beijing
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple social media posts alongside the claim it shows a violent police crackdown on students protesting a Covid-19 lockdown at a university in Beijing. While there were reports of student protests against pandemic restrictions in the Chinese capital, the video was shared in a false context. It shows clips of May Day protests that turned violent in Paris.
14 June 2022
More here.
1389. Monkeypox not a side effect of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine
Posts on social media claim recent monkeypox outbreaks are the result of a "side effect" of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. This is false; health experts say monkeypox cannot be contracted via Covid-19 vaccination, and Pfizer told AFP the virus is not a side effect of the shot.
9 June 2022
More here.
1388. Posts misrepresent monkeypox and make misleading link with Covid vaccine
After the World Health Organization (WHO) reported outbreaks of monkeypox in countries where the disease is not endemic, multiple social media posts claimed that the virus is the same as shingles and therefore a "side effect" of the Covid-19 vaccine. However, health experts told AFP that the virus causing shingles and the one causing Covid are completely unrelated. Furthermore, Australia's vaccine regulator told AFP there is currently insufficient evidence that Covid vaccines "trigger" shingles. The posts shared a stock image of shingles that was erroneously used to illustrate monkeypox.
9 June 2022
More here.
1387. WHO did not approve Thai food supplement to 'prevent long Covid'
Facebook posts circulating in Thailand claim the World Health Organization approved a dietary supplement to prevent long Covid. However, the WHO said it made no such announcement as of May 30, 2022, while health experts warned the only way to prevent long Covid was to avoid catching the virus in the first place.
6 June 2022
More here.
1386. Pfizer does not have a monkeypox vaccine
Social media posts say the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new monkeypox vaccine from Pfizer. This is false; the only vaccine for the prevention of monkeypox was approved by the FDA in 2019, and Pfizer does not manufacture it.
3 June 2022
More here.
1385. Image does not show authentic Global News article on Covid vaccine
An image shared tens of thousands of times on social media purports to show an article from Global News that says the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is only 12 percent effective. This is false; the Canadian news organization did not publish the article, and Pfizer's clinical trial data showed the vaccine to be 95 percent effective.
2 June 2022
More here.
1384. Damaged goods found at department store in Malaysia in 2020, not Shanghai in 2022
As Shanghai emerged from a two-month lockdown, social media posts shared photos of mouldy shoes and bags that they claim show products at a department store in the Chinese megacity. However, the pictures were taken in Malaysia in 2020 at a store that was preparing to reopen following a Covid-related closure.
1 June 2022
More here.
1383. Edited video misrepresents Pfizer CEO's comments at World Economic Forum
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla saying the US pharmaceutical giant aims to cut the world's population in half by 2023. However, the video has been edited. In the original clip, Bourla told Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), that Pfizer plans to cut the number of people who cannot afford their medicine by half.
1 June 2022
More here.
1382. Video shows children wearing hazmat suits in northern China, not 'Shanghai during lockdown'
A video of a group of children wearing hazmat suits has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows them attending school in Shanghai during the city's Covid-19 lockdown. However, the video was actually filmed in China's northern Hebei province. Schools in Shanghai -- China's largest city -- reverted to online learning in mid-March and in-person classes were not scheduled to resume until June.
30 May 2022
More here.
1381. Airlines in Spain and Russia have not 'warned Covid vaccinated people not to fly'
Social media posts shared hundreds of times claim airlines in Spain and Russia warned people who have been vaccinated for Covid-19 not to fly because they have an increased risk of developing blood clots. This is false: airlines in those countries have issued no such advice as of May 25, 2022. Health experts say blood clots are a rare side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine and are not the same as those that occur during flights.
25 May 2022
More here.
1380. UK govt rejects fake Covid vaccine injury poster shared on Facebook
A screenshot of a poster about Covid-19 vaccines that was purportedly issued by the UK government is circulating on Facebook. It urges people to apply for compensation if they were not "made fully aware of the health risks" of the jab. However, the poster is a fabrication; a government spokesperson said it was not an official publication and used government logos "without knowledge or permission".
23 May 2022
More here.
1379. No evidence Australian political parties 'plan mandatory Covid-19 vaccination'
Ahead of Australia's first federal elections since the emergence of Covid-19, multiple social media users shared a claim that three political parties plan to make vaccinations mandatory if they win the May 21 vote. But the claim is misleading. An Australian university researcher who focuses on mandatory vaccinations told AFP the federal government does not have the power to force nationwide inoculations. The Liberal-National Party coalition, Labor and Greens told AFP they do not support mandatory vaccinations.
19 May 2022
More here.
1378. Canada's CTV did not publish story on segregating unvaccinated travelers
Social media posts claim to show an article from the Canadian outlet CTV News, reporting that Ottawa is considering segregating travelers on airplanes by Covid-19 vaccination status. This is false; CTV News said it did not publish such an article, and the Canadian government denied considering such a policy.
19 May 2022
More here.
1377. China's Covid mass testing photos misrepresented as 'disinfection of uninhabited mountains'
Two photos of China's "big whites" -- health workers in hazmat suits -- in a snowy expanse have been shared hundreds of times in social media posts that claim they were part of a disinfection drive in a deserted part of the remote northwestern Qinghai province. Disinfectant spraying has been part of China's arsenal in its fight against the coronavirus, but the photos were actually taken during a Covid-19 testing drive in a mountainous township in Qinghai. AFP did not find any official reports of health workers disinfecting uninhabited mountains in China.
19 May 2022
More here.
1376. Posts share false Covid lockdown notice for Manila after Philippine elections
Facebook posts have repeatedly shared a purported news graphic stating the Philippine capital Manila and four neighbouring provinces were placed under "heightened Covid restriction" shortly after the May presidential elections. This is false: the image in the posts had been digitally altered from an old news graphic. Manila and its four neighbouring provinces remain under the lowest pandemic restrictions as of May 19, 2022.
19 May 2022
More here.
1375. Video shows people in China's Zhejiang province and not 'Shanghai after Covid lockdown eased'
A photo of shoppers buying large amounts of pork has been shared hundreds of times in social media posts that claim it shows residents in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou preparing for a weeklong lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 in May 2022. However, the photo has been shared in a misleading context; the image has circulated in reports since November 2021 about lavish pork buying practices in China's western Sichuan province.
17 May 2022
More here.
1374. Posts mislead after Covid lockdown sparks panic buying in Chinese city
A photo of shoppers buying large amounts of pork has been shared hundreds of times in social media posts that claim it shows residents in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou preparing for a weeklong lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 in May 2022. However, the photo has been shared in a misleading context; the image has circulated in reports since November 2021 about lavish pork buying practices in China's western Sichuan province.
17 May 2022
More here.
1373. Pfizer documents do not reveal dangers of Covid-19 vaccine
Social media posts and online articles have made a series of inaccurate claims about the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, sometimes asserting the revelations come from leaks of confidential documents from the pharmaceutical company. But health regulators and independent experts say the data -- which is being officially released by the US Food and Drug Administration -- does not show the shot is dangerous or ineffective.
16 May 2022
More here.
1372. Article reporting Pfizer VP's arrest is satire
Social media posts say that Pfizer's Executive Vice President Rady Johnson has been arrested and charged with fraud. This is false; the article that originated the claim says that it is satire, and a Pfizer representative said the allegation was untrue, branding it "ridiculous."
12 May 2022
More here.
1371. Posts falsely claim Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine dangerous during pregnancy
Social media posts claim documents recently released by Pfizer show that the company's Covid-19 vaccine is unsafe for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is false; health regulators and independent medical experts say no serious safety signals have been identified following vaccination during pregnancy, and the image in the posts does not show guidance from the pharmaceutical giant but is in fact outdated advice published by the United Kingdom in 2020.
11 May 2022
More here.
1370. Social media posts mislead on vaccination programme pause in Denmark
A claim that Denmark has entirely shut down its Covid-19 vaccination programme has been shared thousands of times in social media posts in April 2022. However, the claim is misleading; the Danish Health Authority says that the voluntary vaccination programme has only been paused for the time being and has not been discontinued entirely.
10 May 2022
More here.
1369. Old photos misleadingly linked to end of outdoor mask mandate in South Korea
Two images have circulated online in South Korea alongside a claim they show foreign students not wearing face masks while local students kept theirs on after the government lifted its outdoor mask mandate. While a poll found majority of South Koreans still prefer masking outdoors, the photos were shared in a misleading context. The first image of a group of maskless foreign students predates the Covid pandemic, while the second photo circulated in news reports weeks before South Korea's outdoor mask mandate was eased.
9 May 2022
More here.
1368. False posts about 'Covid vaccine requirement for voters' spread ahead of Philippine poll
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok posts circulating ahead of the Philippines' polls on May 9 claim voters are required to present proof of Covid vaccination or a negative coronavirus test in order to vote. This is false: voters only need to wear a face mask to vote, according to the country's elections agency Comelec. The video featured in the posts -- watched over a million times -- shows an erroneous news report aired on local broadcaster TV5 that was later corrected.
7 May 2022
More here.
1367. Social media posts mislead about Covid death rates in Australian state
Social media posts shared hundreds of times claim it is "insane" that authorities in Australia are still encouraging Covid-19 vaccination given more vaccinated people than unvaccinated people died from the disease in the state of New South Wales on April 15, 2022. Although the posts shared genuine data from a single day in April, health experts told AFP vaccination is still critical to reducing the overall rate of death and severe illness from Covid-19. All of the deaths mentioned in the post were in people aged 60 or above, who experts said were at an increased risk of death from the disease.
6 May 2022
More here.
1366. Hepatitis outbreak in children misleadingly linked to Covid-19 vaccination
Online articles shared hundreds of thousands of times on social media claim the global outbreak of severe hepatitis in children is linked to Covid-19 vaccines, citing an April 2022 study as evidence. But health authorities and independent experts dismissed the idea that the shots are to blame, saying most of those affected were too young to be vaccinated and that the study refers to the case of an adult with a different type of hepatitis.
5 May 2022
More here
1365. Misleading video suggests people in China 'face death penalty for not wearing a mask'
A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media appears to show a Chinese official warning that residents could face the death penalty if they do not wear a mask in public. But the video was edited in a misleading way to combine unrelated remarks from Beijing's justice department. People in China do not face the death penalty if they fail to wear a mask outside. However, they do risk capital punishment if they knowingly conceal their contact history in Covid-19 outbreak areas.
5 May 2022
More here.
1364. This video shows a 2014 protest, not an anti-lockdown rally at a Shanghai university in 2022
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple social media posts claiming it shows a protest at Shanghai's Fudan University in April 2022, during an ongoing lockdown in the Chinese city. The claim is false. The video has appeared in 2014 news reports about a clash between urban management officers and civilians in a town in China's Zhejiang province. AFP could not find any other record of the alleged incident at the university.
2 May 2022
More here.
1363. Old drink-driving footage falsely shared as 'police clash during Shanghai lockdown'
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in Chinese-language social media posts alongside a claim it shows residents of China's largest city Shanghai clashing with the police during a coronavirus lockdown in 2022. Although Shanghai residents have scuffled with the police after the megacity became the heart of China's biggest virus outbreak since Wuhan, the video was actually filmed in the eastern Chinese city of Bengbu. The clip corresponds to reports circulating since 2021 about a drink-driving incident.
29 April 2022
More here.
1362. Pfizer's stock was not 'delisted from the New York Stock Exchange'
A screenshot of a document has circulated in Facebook posts that claim it shows an application by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to remove all its shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) after a court ordered the release of its vaccine data. The claim is false; Pfizer was still listed on the NYSE, as of April 22, 2022. The posts actually shared an application to delist a type of debt instrument called notes, which were delisted because they had been paid in full.
29 April 2022
More here.
1361. Fauci remark on flu vaccination does not negate Covid-19 advice
Facebook posts claim top US infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci contradicted himself by advising all Americans to get vaccinated against Covid-19, citing a years-old clip in which the doctor says a person who recovered from influenza need not receive a flu shot. But Covid-19 and the flu are distinct diseases, Fauci's advice in the 2004 video was specific to one person, and scientists are still researching the durability of natural immunity following Covid-19 infection.
28 April 2022
More here.
1360. Anthony Fauci was not arrested by US military
An online article claims that American special forces arrested top US infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on April 9, 2022 on charges of treason, malpractice, conspiracy and homicide. This is false; the Pentagon called it a "total and utter fabrication," the health agency Fauci heads denied the claim, and the scientist has made public appearances after the date of the alleged arrest.
28 April 2022
More here.
1359. Old photo shows aid from China to Russia, not 'Russia sending food to Shanghai in 2022'
A photo has been shared more than a thousand times in social media posts that claim it shows "Russia sending food to help Shanghai", as the city's residents faced food shortages during a weeks-long lockdown to stamp out its worst Covid-19 outbreak in 2022. However, the image circulated in state media reports in April 2020 and shows a shipment of medical supplies China sent to Moscow in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.
27 April 2022
More here.
1358. Video does not show 'Shane Warne's son speaking about father's death'
Following the sudden death of Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne in Thailand, a video was viewed hundreds of thousands of times in social media posts that claimed it shows the late sportsman's son suggesting his father's death was related to the Covid-19 vaccine. However, the posts are misleading. The video actually shows a former Australian far-right leader speaking about Warne's death. Thai authorities have stated that Warne died of natural causes.
22 April 2022
More here.
1357. Posts mislead with claim Malaysians will be 'fined for wearing uncertified masks'
An infographic has been shared multiple times in social media posts that claim Malaysians must wear face masks with official government certification or face a fine of up to 100,000 Malaysian ringgit ($23,600) under new regulations. However, the claim is misleading; the new rules and penalties apply to companies and individuals producing or importing face masks, rather than the general public, Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs said.
22 April 2022
More here.
1356. Korean posts share misleading advice on using Covid self-test kits
Korean-language Facebook posts have repeatedly shared a graphic advising users of Covid-19 self-test kits to swab from the back of the throat to guarantee accurate results. However, health experts told AFP only trained professionals should collect swab samples from the back of the throat to avoid injury. South Korea's health officials advise that swabbing from just inside the nostrils is sufficient for self-test kits.
8 April 2022
More here.
1355. Posts share misleading claim about Covid-19 vaccination requirements in Malaysia
A video of Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob making an announcement has been viewed thousands of times on social media alongside a claim that the Southeast Asian country's Covid-19 vaccination requirements have been "abolished". This is misleading. The video shows Ismail Sabri speaking at a press conference on March 8, 2022, during which he said vaccination requirements would be abolished for interstate travel and some workplaces. As of April 8, 2022, some activities in Malaysia — such as recreational sports, religious gatherings and dining in restaurants — require participants to have received at least the primary dose of a Covid vaccine.
8 April 2022
More here.
1354. False claims that Covid-19 boosters cause AIDS spread online
Online articles claim that recipients of Covid-19 booster shots will develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). But medical experts rejected the claim, saying there is no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines can cause the chronic, life-threatening condition.
6 April 2022
More here.
1353. Posts share false 'vaccination requirement' claim about Ukraine war relief fund
Multiple social media posts shared online in March 2022 claimed that "only vaccinated Ukrainian citizens" were eligible for an emergency government payment to aid workers impacted by the Russian invasion. This is false; as of April 4, 2022, neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky nor the ministry in charge of the scheme has said immunisation for Covid-19 or any other disease is a requirement to receive the benefit.
4 April 2022
More here.
1352. CNN did not report that Ukraine war is causing myocarditis
Social media posts claim that American news channel CNN reported that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is causing cases of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart. But the posts feature an altered image from a satire website with comments suggesting it was true, and the media company said the apparent newscast is a fake.
29 March 2022
More here.
1351. Nurofen tablets do not contain graphene oxide
Videos showing black particles swirling about in a glass of dissolved Nurofen tablets have been shared in a string of social media posts claiming they are graphene oxide. However, the claim is false. The pain relief medication's manufacturer said the particles are black iron oxide, which health authorities and experts say is widely used as a colouring agent in the pharmaceutical industry and is safe for consumption.
29 March 2022
More here.
1350. False graphic shared in misleading posts claiming 'Malaysians should get fourth Covid-19 jab'
An infographic purportedly issued by Malaysian health authorities has been shared multiple times on social media with a claim that residents should get a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine because "the Omicron variant will spread" after Malaysia reopens borders on April 1, 2022. However, the claim is false; the Malaysian Ministry of Health denies issuing the infographic. As of March 25, 2022, the government has not issued any statement about plans for the fourth dose in the country.
25 March 2022
More here.
1349. Posts share misleading claim about pharmaceutical companies' offices in war-torn Ukraine
A video that shows dozens of listings for pharmaceutical companies with offices in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media. The posts alluded to unproven claims -- promoted by Russian state media -- that US-funded labs in war-torn Ukraine are developing biological weapons. But the video has been shared in a misleading context; while the companies shown in the video all have offices in Kyiv, most are headquartered elsewhere and also have other global offices.
25 March 2022
More here.
1348. Scientific paper does not prove Moderna 'created' coronavirus
Online articles and social media posts cite a scientific paper to claim that pharmaceutical giant and Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer Moderna created the virus that causes the disease. But the lead author of the study said its findings do not implicate the company, and independent experts say the report itself lacks merit.
24 March 2022
More here.
1347. Article misleads on US goverment-funded Covid-19 vaccine advocacy
An article published by anti-vaccine organization Children's Health Defense (CHD) claims the US government made secret payments to media organizations to promote Covid-19 shots and to suppress unfavorable coverage. The claim is misleading; in fact, the educational program referred to was publicly announced and described in detail on a dedicated website, and the payments made were for advertising.
23 March 2022
More here.
1346. This video shows Chinese pandemic workers in eastern China, not Hong Kong
After mainland Chinese medics were sent to Hong Kong to help combat the city's worst Covid-19 outbreak to date, a video circulated in multiple social media posts alongside a claim it shows pandemic workers sleeping on the floor at a convention centre in the virus-hit city. But the video has been shared in a misleading context: it shows pandemic workers in China's eastern Shandong province. A spokesperson for Hong Kong's Hospital Authority separately told AFP it had "arranged suitable and proper accommodation for the mainland medical team".
23 March 2022
More here.
1345. This video has circulated since January 2020 -- before any Covid-19 vaccines were available
As South Korea recorded a surge in Covid-19 cases fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, a video circulated alongside a Korean-language claim that it shows a triple-jabbed doctor collapsing while performing surgery in Australia. However, the video -- which has been viewed hundreds of times -- has been shared in a false context. It has previously circulated in news reports about an incident in China since January 2020, when Covid-19 vaccines were not yet available.
23 March 2022
More here.
1344. No evidence that Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine causes encephalitis, health experts say
As Australian health authorities battled to control an unprecedented spread of the mosquito-borne Japanese encephalitis virus, social media posts claimed the potentially deadly virus was an adverse effect of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. But the posts -- shared hundreds of times -- are false. Health experts told AFP there is no link between encephalitis -- an inflammation of the brain -- and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The posts misrepresented a document that Pfizer submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
21 March 2022
More here.
1343. False posts that Covid vaccines alter DNA share pre-pandemic photo
Korean-language social media posts alleging Covid-19 vaccines alter human DNA have shared an image alongside a claim it shows a "genetically modified human". These posts are false; AFP has repeatedly debunked claims that Covid-19 vaccines change human DNA. The image shared in the posts shows a digitally altered stock photo that predates the pandemic.
16 March 2022
More here.
1342. Australian health official did not say vaccinated 'dying from myocarditis'
A video is circulating in multiple social media posts that claim it shows a top Australian health official "admitting" people vaccinated against Covid-19 are dying from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. This is false; the clip was taken from longer footage that shows Queensland chief health officer John Gerrard talking about myocarditis deaths in Covid-19 patients, not vaccinated people. Australia's drugs regulator said it had not recorded any myocarditis deaths caused by Covid-19 vaccines.
15 March 2022
More here.
1341. South Korean social media users share misleading claims about Novavax Covid vaccine
Korean-language social media posts have shared multiple claims about a Covid-19 vaccine made by US pharma giant Novavax after South Korea's regulators approved the jab for use in January 2022. The posts suggest the Nuvaxovid jab is not safe for humans because it "contains moth and spider DNA", and claim more than 200 "cases of serious side effects" from the vaccine have been reported. These claims are misleading: as of March 11, 2022 Nuvaxovid has been approved as safe to use by health authorities in dozens of countries including South Korea. Experts told AFP the vaccine does not contain animal DNA.
11 March 2022
More here.
1340. Video of US planes that fight wildfires shared in Indonesian misleading posts about 'spreading Covid'
A video has been viewed millions of times online in Indonesia alongside a claim it shows planes spraying substances that can make people ill with Covid-19 symptoms. This is misleading. Scientists say overwhelming evidence shows the virus is generally transmitted from person to person. A spokesman for the Indonesian Air Force told AFP the claim was "a hoax" and that the planes in the video are not Indonesian. AFP found they are actually modified military aircraft used to fight forest fires in the United States. Part of the footage predates the pandemic.
8 March 2022
More here.
1339. Posts misleadingly link New Zealand's euthanasia law to Covid
Social media posts shared thousands of times globally claim New Zealand has "approved euthanasia for Covid-19 patients" and "would rather kill people than treat them". The posts circulated as the island country battled a wave of infections after being largely virus-free for much of the pandemic. However, these posts misrepresent New Zealand's euthanasia law that passed before the pandemic. The New Zealand health ministry, a medical expert and a legal scholar separately told AFP that Covid-19 patients "have treatment options" and are unlikely to meet the law's eligibility criteria.
4 March 2022
More here.
1338. Sri Lankan social media users share misleading 'mask exemption' claim
Facebook posts have circulated in Sri Lanka claiming anyone living in the island nation who has received a Covid-19 booster jab will be exempted from a law enacted in 2020 that made mask-wearing mandatory in public places. The posts are misleading; as of March 2, 2022, Sri Lanka does not have mask exemptions for vaccinated people, including those who have received a booster jab.
2 March 2022
More here.
1337. Posts share unverified list of 'countries that have scrapped quarantine and virus testing'
Facebook posts circulating in February 2022 claim a string of countries including Turkey, Brazil and Britain have scrapped "all quarantine procedures" and Covid-19 testing. The posts — shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter — claim that ten countries have decided to treat the virus as though it is a "seasonal flu". The claims are misleading; many of the countries included in the list still have Covid-19 quarantine and testing procedures for incoming travellers, as of February 26, 2022.
26 February 2022
More here.
1336. Online posts tout fake hydroxychloroquine recipes
Facebook posts claim hydroxychloroquine can be made at home using grapefruit and lemon peels to prevent viruses such as Covid-19. This is false; the drug is synthetic and cannot be produced by boiling citrus rinds, and infectious disease experts said the medication had not been found to prevent Covid-19.
1 March 2022
More here.
1335. Photo of Covid-19 lockdown in mainland China misleadingly linked to Hong Kong pandemic relief
A photo has been shared in multiple Facebook posts claiming it shows representatives from mainland China ready to "save Hong Kong" as Beijing pledged to support the financial hub's efforts to tackle a Covid-19 outbreak. However, the photo was shared in a misleading context; it corresponds to scenes from a Covid-19 lockdown in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, where medical workers were combating a local outbreak in early February 2022.
24 February 2022.
More here.
1334. Misleading posts allege CDC coverup of pandemic measures harming children
Social media posts claim the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered child speech development standards to cover up damage caused by mask use and lockdowns. But the agency and experts say the change was underway before the Covid-19 pandemic and is aimed at encouraging caregivers of children who miss milestones to seek help, not an attempt to minimize warning signs.
24 February 2022
More here.
1333. Australian TV programme issues correction after report on Queen Elizabeth II's Covid treatment
A video has been viewed more than two million times in posts that claim a doctor on an Australian TV programme endorsed deworming drug stromectol — which contains ivermectin — to treat Queen Elizabeth II after she tested positive for Covid-19. However, the Australian network that broadcast the programme said it had mistakenly referenced stromectol in the report. The doctor who was interviewed on the programme issued a clarification on Twitter that he had not endorsed stromectol as a Covid-19 treatment.
24 February 2022
More here.
1332. US study misrepresented in false posts about PCR tests
Multiple social media posts circulating in South Korea claim that a 2020 research paper by academics at Johns Hopkins University in the US shows PCR swab tests for Covid-19 are actually "covert vaccinations". These posts are false; Johns Hopkins University told AFP its scientists performed laboratory experiments on devices that "have been neither tested nor used for vaccine delivery". As of February 23, no Covid-19 vaccines have been administered through swabs.
24 February 2022
More here.
1331. Image of Facebook login page requiring vaccination ID is fake
An image shared in multiple social media posts appears to show Facebook requesting vaccination ID for login. The posts have circulated since the tech giant announced it was changing its name to Meta in October 2021. This is false; AFP confirmed that as of the date of this publication, the image does not show a real Facebook login screen. A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said the image is fake.
23 February 2022
More here.
1330. UN plane in Canada for maintenance, not Ottawa protest
Social media posts suggest a United Nations plane was used to fly in security forces who removed anti-vaccine mandate protesters from Canada's capital. But Ottawa police say only Canadian officers were involved, and an aircraft service company says the plane had been undergoing maintenance for weeks.
23 February 2022
More here.
1329. Social media posts share false claim about Covid deaths in Australia
Multiple social media posts shared in February 2022 claim the Australian government has only recorded 83 deaths from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. The country has endured nearly two years of some of the toughest coronavirus restrictions in the world. But the posts are false; Australia has recorded 2,556 Covid deaths as of February 23, 2022.
23 February 2022
More here.
1328. False posts share chemtrails conspiracy theory, claiming white trails 'spread Covid-19'
Social media posts claim white trails that linger in the sky after a passing plane are "chemical trails" that spread Covid-19. However, the claim is false. These white trails are condensation trails, which do not cause harm to humans, while experts have debunked conspiracy theories about "chemtrails". There is scientific consensus that Covid-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.
22 February 2022
More here.
1327. Unproven claims of masks harming speech development spread online
Social media posts claim that mask use impairs children's speech development. But experts say that while more research is needed on the topic, preliminary data does not support this conclusion.
18 February 2022
More here.
1326. Facebook posts share false claim about size of anti-vaccine mandate protest in Australia
Social media posts circulating online following an anti-vaccine mandate protest in Australia’s capital Canberra claim "police report they let 1.4 million vehicles" into the city for a demonstration that attracted millions of people. The claim is false: the Australian Federal Police told AFP they counted about 6000 vehicles at the demonstration and approximately 10,000 protesters. National and international news reports estimated thousands of protesters attended the rally, not millions.
17 February 2022
More here.
1325. Newspaper rejects fake report about New Zealand govt 'adding vaccines to water supply'
As New Zealand faced a surge in Covid-19 infections, social media posts claimed the government planned to add vaccines to the water supply in a bid to increase inoculation rates. The posts purported to show a report from a popular newspaper announcing the plan. However, the purported report is fabricated, the newspaper and the health ministry told AFP. A health expert said the idea of adding vaccines to the water supply was "simply ridiculous".
17 February 2022
More here.
1324. Posts falsely claim half of Ottawa police resigned during protest
Social media posts claim that half of the Ottawa police force resigned during the anti-vaccine mandate protest in Canada's capital city. But both the Ottawa Police Service and the association representing its officers dismissed the claim.
16 February 2022
More here.
1323. Qantas CEO pie video unrelated to Covid-19 vaccine mandate
A clip showing a man smashing a pie into the face of Qantas Airways CEO Alan Joyce is circulating online along with the claim that it shows a response to the airline's Covid-19 vaccination requirement. This is false; the video is from 2017 and relates to Joyce's support for same-sex marriage in Australia, not the pandemic that came years later.
16 February 2022
More here.
1322. Anti-vaccine poster circulates in misleading posts about 'Japan Pfizer emergency'
Chinese-language social media posts claim Japan has declared a state of emergency following side effects from the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is false; Japan has placed much of the country under a "quasi-state of emergency" to reduce the spread of Covid-19, not because of side effects from vaccines. Moreover, the social media posts show a Japanese poster that contains a string of falsehoods about the virus.
16 February 2022
More here.
1321. Health experts dismiss false claim circulating in Indonesia that 'air pollution causes Covid-19'
A video of an Indonesian podcaster who has organised anti-vaccine rallies claiming the Covid-19 pandemic is caused by air pollution has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple social media posts. However, the claim is false; although the Indonesian government has come under fire from residents for toxic levels of air pollution in the capital Jakarta, health experts told AFP Covid-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
15 February 2022
More here.
1320. Philippine health department denounces fake Omicron 'alert'
As Covid-19 ripped through the Philippines, social media posts purported to share an official government health warning about the Omicron variant. The posts are misleading; the health department said it had not issued the warning, which makes a string of baseless claims about the virus.
14 February 2022
More here.
1319. Video of Brazilian trucks not related to Canada protest
Social media posts claim a video clip shows Brazilian truckers expressing solidarity with protesters in Canada who oppose vaccine mandates. This is false; the footage was posted online months before the Canadian trucker demonstration began.
11 February 2022
More here.
1318. Canada police not ordered to return fuel to Ottawa protesters
Social media posts and online videos claim a judge ordered Ottawa police to return fuel to anti-vaccine mandate protesters after seizing supplies from the demonstrators. This is false; the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General says no such order exists, and the police say they did not return any fuel.
11 February 2022
More here.
1317. Posts spread fake letter from Canada's Trudeau to Ottawa protesters
Social media posts claim Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote a letter saying he is willing to meet members of the "Freedom Convoy" and its supporters protesting Covid-19 vaccine mandates, providing an image as evidence. This is false; the premier's office says the letter did not come from his team, and he has made no public moves to meet with the demonstrators.
10 February 2022
More here.
1316. Rock-filled dumpster not placed by Canada government to incite protester violence
Social media posts claim a dumpster full of rocks was placed in central Ottawa by Canada's government to incite violence by "Freedom Convoy" protesters opposing Covid-19 vaccine mandates. This is false; the owner of the company that leased the container said it had been there since before the protest to collect rubble from work on a nearby parking garage, and an AFP journalist confirmed that it has now been removed from the site.
10 February 2022
More here.
1315. Misleading posts claim Covid-19 antibodies cause breast milk to change color
Social media posts featuring an image of two bags of breast milk claim one is greenish because the mother is producing antibodies in response to the child having Covid-19. But experts say breast milk color can change for many reasons and a green tint does not necessarily mean that either mother or child are sick with the disease.
10 February 2022
More here.
1314. Posts shared in Australia make misleading link between vaccines and tobacco blood clot warning
Social media posts circulating in Australia claim a new blood clot warning was added to the country's tobacco packaging in January 2022 -- which they suggest is linked to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. But the posts are misleading: the blood clot warning predates the pandemic, a tobacco control organisation told AFP. The warning is based on a decade-old law, Australia's health department separately told AFP.
9 February 2022
More here.
1313. These photos of Malaysia's health minister were taken at two different Covid-19 vaccine events
Facebook posts circulating in Malaysia claim photos of a politician posing after his first and second Covid-19 vaccine doses were in fact taken on the same day, accusing him of lying about being double-jabbed. The posts point to the fact he appears to be wearing the same outfit in both photos. The claim is false; while Khairy Jamaluddin wore the same black t-shirt and trousers to both his Covid-19 vaccinations in March and April 2021, he sported different shoes and socks.
9 February 2022
More here.
1312. Canada children's hospital did not expand to treat Covid-19 vaccine side effects
Social media posts claim that the cardiac unit of a children's hospital in Toronto was "expanded" in anticipation of a surge of side effects following the Covid-19 vaccination campaign for children aged five to 11. This is false; SickKids said the hospital has not expanded services within its department of cardiology, and available data shows that the risk of heart inflammation following vaccination in this age range is very low.
8 February 2022
More here.
1311. Aerial convoy photo unrelated to 2022 Canada trucker protest
Facebook posts claim an image of a miles-long line of cars and trucks shows the 2022 "Freedom Convoy" protesting Covid-19 vaccine mandates in Canada. This is false; the photographer who shot the aerial image says it was taken in the province of Alberta in December 2018.
8 February 2022
More here.
1310. Photos show Indonesian leader attending Chinese Lunar New Year event before pandemic
Three photos have been shared thousands of times in social media posts that claim Indonesian President Joko Widodo was pictured maskless at an event to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2022. The posts claim the president ignored "health protocols". The photos were shared in a false context: they were taken in January 2020, more than one month before Indonesia reported its first Covid-19 cases.
8 February 2022
More here.
1309. Error in article fuels ivermectin misinformation online
Global news agency Reuters published an article that said a Japanese company found ivermectin to be effective against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in human trials. The article was corrected to say that trials were non-clinical, meaning they did not test on people, but social media posts are still spreading the article's original incorrect assertion that the drug was proven effective against Covid-19 in human test subjects.
4 February 2022
More here.
1308. Social media post falsely attributed to Canada PM Trudeau
An image of a social media post that appears to be from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and urges people to shun unvaccinated family members is circulating online. But Trudeau's office says he did not post the message, and there is no trace of it on his official social media accounts.
4 February 2022
More here.
1307. Video shows Italian festival, not anti-mandate trucker protest
A video showing dozens of trucks driving through a town and honking was shared thousands of times alongside claims it shows Italian truckers inspired by a convoy of Canadians who drove to Ottawa in 2022 to protest Covid-19 vaccine mandates. This is false; the video was taken in September 2021 during a city festival in the Piedmont region of Italy.
4 February 2022
More here.
1306. Posts falsely claim photo shows 2022 Dutch farmers' Covid protest
Social media posts feature a photo of tractors blocking a highway and claim that it shows a convoy in the Netherlands inspired by truckers protesting Covid-19 vaccine mandates in Canada. This is false; the photo appeared online in a 2019 article about farmers protesting enviromental regulations before the pandemic started.
3 February 2022
More here.
1305. Photo depicts 1991 Moscow protest, not 2022 anti-mandate Canada convoy
Facebook users shared a photo of a crowd hundreds of thousands strong, alongside a claim it showed a 2022 anti-vaccine mandate protest in Ottawa, Canada. This is false; the photo was taken during an anti-government protest in Moscow in 1991.
3 February 2022
More here.
1304. Fake 'vaccine exemption cards' in the Philippines tout Covid misinformation
An image is circulating in social media posts in the Philippines that claim it shows a vaccination exemption card. The card -- which features a QR code -- spread online as the government announced temporary restrictions for the unvaccinated in January 2022 as the country battled a record surge in Covid infections. However, the card is a fake, according to multiple government officials. The QR code on the card leads to a document that touts Covid misinformation previously debunked by AFP.
2 February 2022
More here.
1303. Facebook posts about pandemic misrepresent London Olympics opening ceremony
A segment of the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony has been misrepresented in social media posts that claim it shows a "giant figure of death holding a needle" foreshadowing the Covid-19 pandemic. The claim is misleading; the cloaked figure in the ceremony was a puppet holding a wand, representing Harry Potter's antagonist Voldemort, who appeared alongside various villains from children's literature.
2 February 2022
More here.
1302. Anti-vaccine group targets London street with fake public health warning
As the highly contagious Omicron Covid-19 variant pushed governments to speed up rollouts of booster jabs, social media posts purported to share a poster issued by Britain's National Health Service (NHS) warning that the vaccines "cause Bell's palsy". The claim is false; Britain's health department and local authorities in the town where the poster was displayed said it was not made by the NHS. Bell's palsy, a condition that causes temporary facial drooping, is a rare side effect of Covid-19 vaccines.
2 February 2022
More here.
1301. Footage from The Simpsons was edited to look like the show predicted Canada’s Covid truckers protest
Posts shared on social media in South Africa and the United States claim that an old episode of The Simpsons TV show predicted the January 2022 Covid-19 trucker protest in Canada. But the claim is false: AFP Fact Check found that the video is an edit of two different episodes made to look like the show’s producers predicted the event.
1 February 2022
More here.
1300. Video makes misleading infertility claim about development of GM crops
A video featuring the founder of a far-right US-based website claims scientists can now genetically modify crops in order "to cause infertility in black people" by using a specific type of technology. This is misleading; experts told AFP the video misrepresents a natural process that has evolved in plants as a defence against viruses, which they said is not harmful to humans.
1 February 2022
More here.
1299. Posts mislead on primary school closures in Pakistan after virus outbreak
Facebook posts circulating in Pakistan claim the country's top body overseeing its pandemic response tweeted that "all primary schools" would be closed in January 2022 to curb the spread of coronavirus. This is misleading. Pakistan's National Command and Control Center (NCOC) said the posts shared a screenshot of a tweet from an imposter account. Although Pakistani authorities ordered some schools to close temporarily in January after Covid-19 outbreaks were detected, there has been no national closure of primary schools as of January 28, 2022.
28 January 2022
More here.
1298. Traffic cameras not disabled to hide Canada anti-vaccine mandate convoy
Social media posts claim traffic cameras on an Ontario highway were disabled to hide the passage of a convoy heading to Canada's capital to protest Covid-19 vaccine mandates for truckers. But the city of Windsor and Ontario's Ministry of Transportation both denied the claims, and supporters of the protest could be seen on footage from traffic cameras as the convoy passed through the Greater Toronto Area.
26 January 2022
More here.
1297. False claim about deadly Covid-19 vaccine batches spreads online
Online articles and social media posts claim US government data reveals there are problematic batches of Covid-19 shots that are responsible for all deaths caused by the vaccines. But American health authorities have not identified issues with specific vaccine lots, independent health experts say the claim is meritless, and the data cited is not proof that a shot was responsible for a fatality.
26 January 2022
More here.
1296. Video of US charity parade misrepresented as anti-vaccine mandate convoy
Supporters of Canada's "Freedom Convoy 2022," an anti-vaccine mandate protest on wheels, shared a video of a trucker convoy from South Carolina claiming it showed US sympathizers also heading to the rally in Ottawa. This is false; the video was taken in August 2021 in South Carolina during a Special Olympics fundraiser, the man who shot the clip told AFP.
26 January 2022
More here.
1295. Canada anti-vaccine mandate convoy did not set Guinness World Record
Social media posts claim that a convoy heading to Canada's capital to protest Covid-19 vaccine mandates for truckers set a Guinness World Record for being the longest. This is false; the global authority on record-breaking said the honor is held by a parade that took place in Egypt in 2020, and specific conditions have to be met for an official record attempt to be registered by Guinness.
26 January 2022
More here.
1294. Police did not arrest child at New York vaccine mandate protest
Online articles claim a young girl was arrested at the Natural History Museum in New York City for refusing to show proof of vaccination. This is false; the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the museum say the girl was brought by adults protesting the city's vaccination requirement, and that she was escorted from the building while the others were arrested for refusing to leave at closing time.
25 January 2022
More here.
1293. This video shows police in France protesting against reforms in 2020 -- not an 'anti-vaccine protest'
A video has been shared repeatedly in social media posts that claim it shows an anti-vaccine protest by the French police. The posts circulated after protesters in France demonstrated against tighter restrictions for unvaccinated people in January 2022. But the video has been shared in a false context; it actually shows French police officers protesting against police reforms proposed by the then-French interior minister Christophe Castaner in June 2020.
26 January 2022
More here.
1292. Video of expired Covid vaccines being destroyed in Nigeria recirculates in misleading posts
A video has been shared repeatedly in Korean-language social media posts that claim it shows Nigerian authorities destroying one million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. Some posts praised Africa's most populous country for being "wiser" than South Korea and other Western countries. But the video has been shared in a misleading context: the footage has circulated in news reports since December 2021 about Nigeria disposing of one million expired AstraZeneca vaccine doses. Nigeria has pledged to inoculate more than half of its population by the end of 2022 -- but its vaccine rollout has so far been slow.
24 January 2022
More here.
1291. Social media posts share false stats on Australia's vaccine rollout for children
As Australia started administering Covid-19 vaccines for children, multiple social media posts circulating in January claimed that "three [child] deaths" were recorded following vaccinations. The posts included a purported tweet from the chief health officer for the state of New South Wales. The claim is false. As of January 25, 2022, Australia's vaccine safety regulators have recorded no child deaths linked to vaccinations. The purported tweet was fabricated, according to the state health department.
25 January 2022
More here.
1290. Posts falsely claim pneumonia caused by Covid-19 is allergic reaction
Facebook posts claim pneumonia caused by Covid-19 is an allergic reaction that should be treated with antihistamines. But experts dismissed the claim, saying pneumonia associated with the disease is not related to allergies, and that antihistamines have not been proven to be beneficial in treating Covid-19.
20 January 2022
More here.
1289. False claim about Covid-19 vaccine genocide convictions spreads online
Social media posts claim public figures including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Britain's Queen Elizabeth, and Pope Francis have been convicted of genocide and face arrest over their support for Covid-19 vaccination. This is false; the Canadian government and independent experts say the document shared as evidence does not come from a legitimate court.
20 January 2022.
More here.
1288. Video does not show 'tennis player collapsing at Australian Open after vaccination'
A video has been shared in social media posts that claim it shows Slovenian tennis player Dalila Jakupovic collapsing at the Australian Open in January 2022 after being vaccinated. The video circulated online after defending men's champion Novak Djokovic lost a court bid to stay in Australia for the tournament without being vaccinated against Covid. But the video has been shared in a false context; it has circulated in reports before the pandemic about Jakupovic suffering breathing difficulties at the tournament in January 2020 as smoke from surrounding bushfires blanketed Melbourne.
19 January 2022
More here.
1287. The image shows a simulation in a Canadian hospital in 2020
Social media posts share a photo of a mannequin in a hospital bed that they claim was passed off as a Covid-19 patient in France in a bid to exaggerate the severity of the Omicron outbreak. The claim is misleading; the image was filmed in 2020 at a Canadian hospital as part of a series of videos promoting its handling of Covid patients.
19 January 2022
More here.
1286. Video misleads on patient access to Covid-19 vaccine safety data
A video shared on social media shows a person suggesting Covid-19 vaccine safety information is being concealed from patients because a US pharmacist provided a blank sheet from a manufacturer when asked for data on the shots. This is misleading; both the US Food and Drug Administration and the pharmacy chain say the information is available online.
14 January 2022
More here.
1285. Posts misrepresent Pfizer CEO's remarks on Covid-19 vaccine efficacy
Social media posts and online articles claim Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said two Covid-19 shots offer "very limited" protection against the disease. This is misleading; Bourla's full remarks in a recent interview make clear he was speaking about the efficacy of two doses against the Omicron variant, not Covid-19 in general.
14 January 2022
More here.
1284. Ontario is not barring unvaccinated voters from polls
Social media posts claim that unvaccinated individuals will be barred from voting in person in the June 2022 Ontario provincial election. But Elections Ontario says the Covid-19 policy shown in the posts only applies to individuals who work or conduct business in its offices, not to voters.
14 January 2022
More here.
1283. Hoax linking Covid-19 to bacteria and 5G mobile technology resurfaces in South Africa
A post shared on Facebook in South Africa claims Italian doctors discovered that Covid-19 is not caused by a virus but a bacterium. The post also claims that the World Health Organization (WHO) has banned autopsies on people who die from Covid-19 and that the disease is exacerbated by 5G technology and can be cured by taking aspirin. But Italy’s health ministry previously told AFP Fact Check this is a “hoax” and available health research confirms the claims are false.
13 January 2022
More here.
1282. Posts mislead on Philippine city's 'face shield requirement' as Covid cases surge
As Covid-19 cases surged in the Philippines in January, Facebook posts shared copies of a local ordinance alongside claims the most populous city in the country has made it mandatory for the public to wear plastic shields on top of face masks "within the city area". But these posts are inaccurate, according to the Quezon City government that issued the ordinance.As of January 13, face shields are only required in "high risk" areas like hospitals, a spokesperson for the city told AFP.
13 January 2022
More here.
1281. CDC director's edited remarks spark misleading claims on Covid-19 deaths
Social media posts and online articles say US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky admitted in a television interview that most Covid-19 deaths were among people with other illnesses, sparking claims that the threat posed by the disease has been exaggerated. But Walensky's remarks were edited for time by ABC News, and the full version shows she was speaking about the results of a study involving people vaccinated against Covid-19, not all deaths that it has caused.
12 January 2022
More here.
1280. Video of Syria blast victim misleadingly shared alongside 'Covid vaccination' claim
Dramatic footage of a distressed man crying next to the body of a dead girl has circulated in social media posts worldwide in January 2022 alongside a claim the child died after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. However, the journalist who filmed the footage said it shows a child killed by a bomb in Syria in October 2021. A spokesperson for UNICEF told AFP that no children in Syria had received Covid-19 vaccines as of January 11, 2022.
12 January 2022
More here.
1279. Bob Saget target of unproven Covid-19 vaccine death claim
Social media posts claim that US comedian Bob Saget died because he had received a Covid-19 booster shot. These claims are unsubstantiated; the "Full House" star had said that he received a third dose of the vaccine, but the Florida medical examiner's office that conducted his autopsy has not released its findings, nor indicated that vaccination was responsible for his death.
11 January 2022
More here.
1278. Authorities say no vaccines stored in Italy’s Carabinieri police barracks when fire started
Footage of a building in flames is circulating on social media across several countries. The clip accompanies posts claiming that the fire gutted a military barracks supposedly housing Covid-19 vaccines in Italy after mandatory vaccination was approved for security forces in the country. The claim is misleading: although Italy’s first Covid-19 vaccines were initially stored at the military camp in 2020, there were no doses in the building at the time of the accidental fire, according to a Carabinieri spokesperson.
10 January 2022
More here.
1277. 'Flurona': Simultaneous infections, not new coronavirus variant
Social media posts claim "flurona" is a new variant of the virus that causes Covid-19. This is false; experts say the term refers to simultaneous but separate influenza and coronavirus infections rather than a new variant, and that such cases are rare but have been detected before.
7 January 2022
More here.
1276. Nuremberg Code does not say mandating masks a 'war crime'
Social media posts claim the Nuremberg Code -- a set of research ethics principles established after World War II -- classifies face mask mandates as a "war crime." This is false; the document does not say this, and experts say it addresses human experimentation and does not apply to public health measures.
6 January 2022
More here.
1275. Betty White's death falsely linked to Covid-19 booster shot
Social media posts claim that five-time Emmy award-winning actress Betty White died a few days after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine booster, suggesting that it caused her death. This is false; one of White's agents says she had not received a booster, and a media outlet that some posts tied to an alleged quote about the star getting the shot says it is fake.
6 January 2022
More here.
1274. Misleading posts claim study shows vaccines increase Omicron infection risk
A tweet shared tens of thousands of times claims a study found that mRNA Covid-19 vaccines increase the chances of infection with the Omicron variant. But experts said the shots do not increase the risk of infection, and the authors of the Danish study said the claim misinterpreted the data, overlooking key factors including more frequent testing and more potential exposure among the vaccinated, which would account for the higher reported infection rate in that group.
5 January 2022
More here.
1273. South Korea does not count Covid cases in double-jabbed as 'unvaccinated infections'
As South Korea battled record Covid-19 cases, social media posts shared a purported government health agency message saying that people with Covid-19 who had not received a booster shot would be classed as "unvaccinated infections". The claim is false; the screenshot of the message shared online is doctored. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) says people who have received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine are classified as breakthrough infections if they catch the disease, regardless of whether they have gotten a booster shot.
5 January 2022
More here.
1272. Video repeats false claims about safety of Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine
A video produced by a group claiming to represent Canadian doctors and health care professionals alleges that the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is dangerous. But the video repeats several previously debunked assertions about the safety of the shot, experts say the benefits outweigh the risks of rare side effects, and the Canadian government recommends it to prevent hospitalization and death.
4 January 2022
More here.
1271. Century-old poster does not echo Covid-19 pandemic safety guidelines
Social media posts claim to show a public health poster from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic that echoes Covid-19 safety guidelines -- wear a mask, wash hands, keep a "safe distance" from others. But the image text has been altered; the original version was used in a 1919 Red Cross Christmas campaign to fight tuberculosis, and it did not contain such instructions.
4 January 2022
More here.
1270. Outdated news report misleads on Covid booster jab safety
As the Philippines launched its Covid-19 booster shot campaign, a screenshot of a news report circulated in social media posts that claimed the health department warned the vaccines were dangerous. The posts are misleading; the news report was broadcast in November, when authorities warned the public against seeking boosters before they had been approved. The Philippine health chief said approved jabs were safe and effective.
4 January 2022
More here.
1269. Posts misrepresent WHO chief's remarks on Covid vaccine inequity
Social media posts circulating in multiple languages claim World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned some countries were administering vaccine booster shots in order to "kill children". The posts spread online in December as countries around the world saw record surges of Covid-19 cases, likely driven by the Omicron coronavirus variant. But a review of Tedros' actual remarks found he was in fact discussing global vaccine inequity -- not commenting on the safety of Covid-19 vaccine boosters. A representative for the WHO told AFP that Tedros stuttered when delivering his remarks.
31 December 2021
More here.
1268. Posts push unproven and dangerous post-vaccination 'treatments'
Social media posts circulating in South Korea suggest various "treatments" for cleansing the body after a Covid-19 vaccination. The posts claim the methods will "get rid of parasites and other nasty things". However, health experts warned the purported treatments could actually be harmful. Experts have previously told AFP that Covid-19 vaccines do not contain live parasites.
30 December 2021
More here.
1267. Videos showing misuse of Covid-19 tests mislead on their accuracy
Videos shared on social media show rapid Covid-19 tests giving positive results when exposed to water, suggesting that the kits are inaccurate. But the manufacturers and scientists say the tests were not designed to be used with water, and health officials say they are an important tool to identify cases of the disease.
30 December 2021
More here.
1266. Posts falsely claim 2020 US flu cases misrepresented as Covid-19
Social media posts claim low influenza numbers in the United States in 2020 were due to cases being misrepresented as Covid-19. But the diseases are distinct and are tracked separately by US health authorities, who say that strict safety measures undertaken to stop the spread of Covid-19 likely also reduced flu cases.
30 December 2021
More here.
1265. 'Omikron' video game not related to Bill Gates or Covid-19 variant
Social media posts in late 2021 claim a 1999 video game named "Omikron" is linked to Bill Gates and Microsoft, the company he co-founded, suggesting that it foreshadowed the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. This is false; Microsoft says that neither it nor Gates -- a favored target of conspiracy theorists -- were involved in the game's development, and it is unrelated to the deadly pandemic that came two decades later.
29 December 2021
More here.
1264. Video shows German farmers' protest from 2019, not a rally against Covid rules
A video has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows a protest against the German government's "medical tyranny" in December 2021. The claim circulated online after Germany imposed sweeping curbs on people not vaccinated against Covid-19. However, the claim is false: the video shows German farmers protesting in Berlin in November 2019 over new agricultural rules.
29 December 2021
More here.
1263. This photo shows a fence at a mall in Latvia -- not Germany -- during a Covid-19 'emergency'
A photo of two people holding hands through a fence has been shared hundreds of times in Facebook and Twitter posts that claim it shows a "new Berlin Wall" separating "vaccinated and non-vaccinated people" in a German supermarket. The posts circulated online as parts of Europe faced a new surge of coronavirus infections. However, the claim is misleading. The photo -- which was taken in October 2021 -- shows people in a Latvian supermarket, where a fence was installed to separate vaccinated and unvaccinated customers during a three-month state of emergency.
26 December 2021
More here.
1262. This video shows an experiment with frog cells, not vaccines
A video of cells moving in a dish has been shared repeatedly in Korean-language Facebook posts that claim it shows "nanorobots in Covid-19 vaccines". This is false: the video has circulated in reports since November 2021 about an experiment with frog cells, not vaccines. A researcher involved in the experiment told AFP it has no connection to vaccines. Health experts have separately told AFP that Covid-19 vaccines do not contain nanorobots.
23 December 2021
More here.
1261. Video makes inaccurate claims about Covid-19 shots harming children
A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times online features researcher Robert Malone making a series of claims about mRNA Covid-19 shots causing harm to children. But experts say the claims are inaccurate, and a physician from a leading children's hospital called the video "dangerously and flagrantly incorrect."
23 December 2021
More here.
1260. Taiwan's vaccine stats misrepresented by US-based television network
A misleading video report from a US-based television network has been viewed thousands of times in Twitter and Facebook posts sharing its claim that "more people die from vaccines than from [Covid-19]" in Taiwan. The report wrongly claims deaths reported to the island’s vaccine adverse events database were found to have been directly caused by Covid-19 jabs. Taiwanese health authorities told AFP they were still investigating the causes of deaths reported to the database, and have yet to conclude whether any of them were directly related to the vaccine.
23 December 2021
More here.
1259. Posts mislead on Australia's Covid travel restrictions after Omicron cases recorded
Posts shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter have questioned how the new Omicron coronavirus variant reached Australia if "the unvaccinated cannot leave or enter", implying that vaccines provide ineffective protection against the disease. The claim, however, is misleading: unvaccinated Australians are allowed to leave or enter the country under certain exemptions. Experts have consistently said that while Covid-19 vaccines reduce the chances of severe disease and death, vaccinated individuals can still transmit the virus.
23 December 2021
More here.
1258. Posts share misleadingly edited video of Trudeau's year-end interview
Social media posts feature a clip of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking about "attacking fundamental rights," with some suggesting he was referencing his government's response to Covid-19. But the clip has been misleadingly edited, and the Liberal leader was answering a question about part of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, not speaking about the pandemic.
22 December 2021
More here.
1257. Posts misrepresent Sri Lankan expert's advice on vaccine protection against Omicron
Posts circulating in Sri Lanka claim two local experts gave conflicting remarks about the need for people to be vaccinated against the Omicron coronavirus variant. The posts -- which shared two screenshots of local media reports -- circulated online as the island nation reported its first case of Omicron. But the posts are misleading; AFP found that the original comments from one of the experts were misrepresented.
22 December 2021
More here.
1256. Posts falsely claim Canada hospital treated hundreds of vaccine-injured children
Social media posts claim 400 children were treated in one week for adverse reactions to Covid-19 shots at a Calgary hospital. But the health authority that runs the facility says it has not had any pediatric hospitalizations related to the shot, and Canadian federal data shows fewer than 400 adverse events following Covid-19 vaccination reported per week over the past month for all ages nationwide.
20 December 2021
More here.
1255. False claim that Covid-19 shots undermine immune system spreads online
Online articles and social media posts claim that Covid-19 shots compromise the immune systems of recipients, causing "vaccine acquired immune deficiency syndrome." This is false; medical experts -- one of them an author of a study cited in support of the claim -- say the vaccines do not have this effect.
17 December 2021
More here.
1254. Articles inaccurately claim document reveals Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine deaths
Online articles shared on social media claim a document released by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed more than 1,200 deaths related to Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine in a 90-day period. But the pharmaceutical giant says the document does not indicate the fatalities are linked to vaccination, and it concludes the shots are safe -- a finding supported by US health authorities as well as clinical research.
15 December 2021
More here.
1253. Old interview with BioNTech chief recirculates with false claim he 'admitted he is not vaccinated'
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in posts in early December that claim it shows the chief of BioNTech -- the company that developed a Covid-19 jab with Pfizer -- admitting he has not been vaccinated against the coronavirus. The posts circulated online as scientists tested the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine's efficacy against the Omicron coronavirus variant. But the video has been shared in a false context; it shows an interview with Ugur Sahin in late 2020 in which he said he would not jump the vaccination "priority" line. Sahin was vaccinated in early 2021, BioNTech told AFP.
15 December 2021
More here.
1252. This image is fake -- it does not show a real 'booster jab advert' featuring Jacinda Ardern
A photo shared thousands of times around the world appears to show a billboard featuring New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern inviting Kiwis to get a "Christmas booster [jab]" in exchange for "up to six months' worth of freedoms". The claim circulated online shortly after New Zealand said it would not reopen to foreign travellers until at least the end of April 2022, as it slowly relaxes some of the world's toughest pandemic border restrictions. But the image has been digitally manipulated from an old election advert. The New Zealand Prime Minister’s office told AFP the image was a “fake”.
14 December 2021
More here.
1251. Singapore clarifies confusion over its consulate in Malaysia after border travel curbs eased
Facebook posts that have been shared hundreds of times claim that Singapore's Foreign Ministry has recently opened a consular office in the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru. The posts — shared in November 2021, the month when the two countries eased Covid-19 travel restrictions — claim the consulate will provide support to Singaporeans who face difficulties crossing the border. But the Singaporean Foreign Ministry said the posts were misleading as its consular office in Johor Bahru has been open since 2009.
13 December 2021
More here.
1250. Singapore doctor rejects 'comments' doubting efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines in elderly
Multiple Facebook posts claim a Singapore doctor told Chinese media that people aged over 60 who take routine medication may find it reduces the effectiveness of their Covid-19 vaccines. However, the doctor and the clinic at which he works have said that he has never made such comments. AFP found no record of him publicly making that claim.
14 December 2021
More here.
1249. World Economic Forum did not report Omicron variant in July 2021, original article was updated
Posts shared on social media in the United States and South Africa claim that the World Economic Forum (WEF) made reference to the newly discovered Omicron variant in a report dated July 2021 – months before the latest mutation of the Covid-19 virus was announced. But this is false: the original WEF article cited on social media made no mention of Omicron, and it was only updated in November 2021 with details about the latest variant.
10 December 2021
More here.
1248. Posts falsely claim weather-linked health warnings aimed at hiding vaccine harm
Social media posts claim an article warning about an increased risk of heart issues during cold weather is part of a conspiracy to cover up rare cardiovascular illness caused by Covid-19 vaccines. But several studies have shown that falling temperatures can cause stress on the heart, and health authorities and experts say people who remain unvaccinated are at greater risk of contracting the virus and suffering related heart complications.
9 December 2021
More here.
1247. Nova Scotia defibrillator purchases falsely tied to Covid-19 pandemic
Social media posts claim a decision by Canada's Nova Scotia to equip public schools with defibrillators is linked to rare side effects of Covid-19 vaccines. But the provincial government said the move is unrelated to the pandemic, and a Canadian foundation said efforts to make the life-saving devices accessible in public buildings, including schools, have been ongoing for more than a decade.
9 December 2021
More here.
1246. False claims on Ursula von der Leyen's vaccine remarks spread online
Social media posts and online articles claim European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for scrapping the Nuremberg Code and forcing people to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. But she made no mention of the Nuremberg Code when questioned about moves to require vaccination in some European countries, instead suggesting a "discussion" and "common approach" to implementing policies.
9 December 2021
More here.
1245. Research summary misleadingly cited as evidence Covid-19 shots are dangerous
A preliminary summary of research in an American Heart Association (AHA) journal claiming that common Covid-19 vaccines more than double the risk of heart problems is being cited as evidence the shots are dangerous. But the AHA says there are potential errors in the research, which has not been peer reviewed, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and an expert raised questions about its conclusion and methodology.
9 December 2021
More here.
1244. Health authority dismisses claim Canadian child died after Covid-19 vaccination
Social media posts claim a six-year-old child died near Ottawa, Canada after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. But the local health authority said a review of data from coroners as well as partners at a children's hospital showed the claim is false, and monitoring systems are in place to investigate potential adverse events following vaccination.
7 December 2021
More here.
1243. This image of a Karl Marx statue in Germany has been doctored
An image circulating on social media appears to show a statue of German philosopher Karl Marx donning a coronavirus-shaped crown and virus-patterned cloak. The posts claim locals in Marx's birth city added the details as an insult to China, which gifted them the sculpture to mark the revolutionary's 200th birthday. The image has been doctored; the original photo shows a bronze statue that was unveiled in Trier in 2018 with no crown or virus patterns.
7 December 2021
More here.
1242. Melbourne anti-lockdown protest sparks false 'sonic weapon' claim
After violent protests against Covid-19 vaccine mandates in Melbourne, social media posts claimed police used a sonic weapon to make demonstrators soil themselves. The claim is false; the posts used a photo from a 2018 prank video by an Australian YouTuber. An acoustic weapons expert told AFP it was "improbable" that infrasound technology could have the effect described in the posts. There have been no official reports that Victoria police used sonic weapons at the protest.
6 December 2021
More here.
1241. Movie poster was altered to read 'The Omicron variant'
Social media posts share a poster for a purported 1963 science-fiction movie called "The Omicron Variant" to suggest that the pandemic and the appearance of the latest coronavirus variant of concern was planned in advance. But the poster is a digital fabrication based on one for a 1974 film named "Phase IV."
2 December 2021
More here.
1240. Pre-pandemic video shared in misleading posts about girl 'collapsing after Covid-19 vaccine'
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple social media posts in November 2021 that suggest it may show a girl in China receiving first aid after a Covid-19 vaccine caused her to collapse. But the footage predates the pandemic. It has circulated since at least 2018 in reports about a girl who received first aid after fainting in the eastern Chinese city of Qingdao.
Warning: distressing footage
1 December 2021
More here.
1239. Australian politician hit by fake article claiming he referred to unvaccinated with racial slur
Facebook posts circulating in Australia purport to a show an article reporting that Daniel Andrews, the premier of Victoria state, referred to unvaccinated people using a racial slur. However, the article is fabricated to look like a report by 7NEWS, which said it did not publish any such story. Keyword searches found the purported article does not correspond to any report on the broadcaster's website.
1 December 2021
More here.
1238. This video shows football fans marching through an Austrian town in 2019, not an anti-lockdown rally
A video has been shared multiple times on social media in South Korea alongside a claim it shows a protest against Covid-19 restrictions in Austria. The claim is false: the video was first posted online in November 2019, at least one month before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. It shows football fans marching along a street ahead of a Europa League match in Austria.
1 December 2021
More here.
1237. Mexico's Father Ángel Cuevas is alive and well
A video of a priest collapsing during a service has spread online alongside the claim that he died following vaccination against Covid-19. But Father Ángel Cuevas did not die, and an AFP journalist met with him in Mexico's Acapulco more than two months after he fainted in an episode he said was unrelated to vaccination.
30 November 2021
More here.
1236. Speech bubble from 1957 comic strip was altered to make reference to Covid-19
Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times purport to show a vintage comic strip panel from 1957 with a speech bubble that makes reference to a "China virus". However, this is false; the words in the original comic from decades ago were digitally altered.
30 November 2021
More here.
1235. Coronavirus variants are not released as part of staged pandemic
A chart purporting to show a schedule of pre-planned coronavirus variants has been shared thousands of times on social media as proof of a baseless conspiracy theory that the pandemic was staged. But viruses mutate unpredictably, several of the variants have already been detected ahead of the supposed timetable, and the groups whose logos appear in the posts -- including the World Health Organization -- told AFP that the image is not genuine.
30 November 2021
More here.
1234. Social media posts misrepresent WHO data on vaccine side effects
A graphic has been shared repeatedly in social media posts that claim it shows the "total number of vaccine injuries for each vaccine" administered during the Covid-19 pandemic. The purported data was shared alongside a logo for the World Health Organization (WHO). The posts, however, are misleading. A spokesperson for the WHO told AFP the data shows vaccine cases for which potential side effects were reported, but said further investigation was needed to confirm any causal link.
30 November 2021
More here.
1233. Inaccurate claim on Covid-19 vaccines causing Canada stillbirths spread online
Articles and video footage shared on social media claim mothers vaccinated against Covid-19 suffered 13 stillbirths in 24 hours at a hospital in western Canada. But there is no evidence that this occurred, local health authorities say there is "no truth" to the claim, and independent experts say available data does not show that the shots caused an increase in stillbirths.
29 November 2021
More here.
1232. Photo of 1991 Moscow protest shared as anti-vaccine mandate march in Vienna in 2021
Social media posts have shared a photo purporting to show a mass demonstration against Covid-19 restrictions in the Austrian capital Vienna in November 2021. The claim is false; the image was taken in Moscow in 1991, during a protest against then Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev.
29 November 2021
More here.
1231. US video misrepresented in false posts as 'Australia Covid-19 protest'
A video that shows police officers knocking over a man in a wheelchair has been viewed thousands of times on social media with a claim that it was filmed during protests against Covid-19 restrictions in Australia in 2021. But the video has been shared in a false context; it was filmed in the US. The clip has circulated in reports about police arresting a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020.
29 November 2021
More here.
1230. Medics rubbish claims that Covid-19 PCR tests are 'unreliable and dangerous'
Facebook posts shared repeatedly in Thailand warn that Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) nose swab tests for Covid-19 are inaccurate and harmful to human health, including claims that they can damage nerves and the brain. But experts told AFP there is no evidence that PCR tests are dangerous. International health bodies have approved the test as the gold standard for diagnosing Covid-19.
29 November 2021
More here.
1229. Old image shared alongside false claim that the Sinovac vaccine is only for 'clinical trial'
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts in Indonesia claim that Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines distributed in the country's inoculation drive are unsafe as they are marked "for clinical trial" only. The claim is false; the posts show a photo of the Sinovac vaccine packaging from August 2020, when the vaccine was not yet available to the public.
24 November 2021
More here.
1228. Misleading report claims Covid-19 vaccines in Australia more deadly than disease itself
An article circulating on Facebook claims Covid-19 vaccines have killed more people in Australia in 2021 than the disease itself, citing figures from the national drug regulator. The claim is misleading; the regulator's database shows adverse reactions reported following vaccination but does not mean they were caused by the jab. There have been significantly fewer confirmed deaths from Covid-19 vaccination than from Covid-19 in Australia in 2021.
22 November 2021
More here.
1227. Japan has not stopped using vaccines to combat Covid-19
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a claim that Japan has stopped using vaccines against Covid-19 and prescribed antiparasitic drug ivermectin, ending the pandemic in the country “almost overnight”. The claims is false; Japan are still administering Covid-19 vaccines. Japanese authorities have not approved ivermectin to treat Covid-19.
11 November 2021
More here.
1226. Posts falsely say Pfizer CEO's wife died from vaccine complications
An online article said Myriam Bourla, wife of Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, died of complications arising from a Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is false, the pharmaceutical company and the hospital mentioned in the article told AFP, and Myriam Bourla attended a public event after the article erroneously announced her death.
18 November 2021
More here.
1225. Video falsely claimed to show children who died due to Covid-19 vaccination
A video has been shared repeatedly in Facebook posts that claim it shows 13 children who died because of the Covid-19 vaccination in South Africa. However, the claim is false: the video was in fact shot in Kenya in February 2020, months before South Africa rolled out the Covid-19 vaccination programme; The pupils died because of a stampede at their school.
9 November 2021
More here.
1224. Posts misleadingly link childhood stroke warning to vaccines
Social media posts share a picture of a bus advertisement about paediatric stroke awareness in Canada and suggest it is related to Covid-19 vaccines. But the ad has nothing to do with the shots, and health authorities and independent experts say available data does not show a causal link between mRNA vaccines and strokes in children.
18 November 2021
More here.
1223. Colorado governor’s order targets hospital crowding, not unvaccinated patients
Social media posts and online articles claim Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order to let hospitals turn away unvaccinated patients. But the text of the order says that people can be sent to other facilities or denied admission due to capacity issues, not based on Covid-19 vaccination status, and the governor's office and a hospital association in the western US state say the claim is inaccurate.
17 November 2021
More here.
1222. Misleading posts claim Australia biosecurity bill targets residents with forced vaccination
Facebook posts claim that a proposed bill to amend Australia's biosecurity law targets unvaccinated citizens with forced quarantine and Covid-19 vaccination. The posts are misleading. The text of the bill indicates that the amendments would apply to people arriving in Australia from overseas and states that "force must not be used" to require individuals to comply with biosecurity measures.
16 November 2021
More here.
1221. Post falsely claims Covid-19 shots more dangerous for children than virus
An Instagram post claims children are 50 times more likely to die from Covid-19 shots than from the virus, citing a former Pfizer researcher. This is false; the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it has not detected an unusual pattern of such deaths following Covid-19 vaccination, Pfizer says there have been no vaccine-related fatalities among children who received its shots, and a pediatrician described the risk of the disease as being far higher than that of the vaccine.
12 November 2021
More here.
1220. Inaccurate claims about 'rabbinical court' opposing Covid-19 vaccination spread online
Online articles and social media posts claim a "rabbinical court" that is part of Israel's legal system ruled against Covid-19 vaccination for young people and children in a binding decision for observant Jews. But leading rabbinical authorities in both Israel and the United States have endorsed vaccination, and experts say the ruling did not come from a widely recognized Jewish legal authority.
15 November 2021
More here.
1219. US cardiologist makes misleading claims about Malaysia's Covid-19 vaccine drive
A video has been shared repeatedly on social media that shows American cardiologist Dr Peter McCullough urging Malaysia to dismantle its Covid-19 vaccination program because vaccines are purportedly unsafe and create virus mutations. The claims — many of which have previously been debunked by AFP — are misleading, according to experts.
15 November 2021
More here.
1218. Covid-19 vaccination sign did not call for child organ donations
Facebook posts feature a photo of a sign at a vaccination stand that urges people to remember to donate their children's organs, suggesting that the shots will kill them. But the image has been manipulated; the original banner advertised vaccinations in English and Spanish, with no mention of organ donation.
10 November 2021
More here.
1217. Facebook posts falsely link Astroworld deaths to Covid-19 vaccines
Facebook posts claim the deadly crush at rapper Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival was caused by graphene oxide in Covid-19 vaccines that allowed concertgoers to be controlled. This is false; the substance is not an ingredient in any of the shots authorized in the United States, and authorities are still investigating events at the Houston, Texas, concert.
9 November 2021
More here.
1216. Video of Kamala Harris manipulated to include anti-vaccine message
Tweets feature a video of US Vice President Kamala Harris appearing to say that almost all hospitalized Covid-19 patients are vaccinated against the disease. But the official White House footage and transcript of her remarks, as well as media coverage of the event at which she spoke, show that she said "unvaccinated," not "vaccinated."
9 November 2021
More here.
1215. Social media users falsely link Pfizer to Covid-19 monitoring invention
Multiple Facebook posts have shared an image of a US patent registration document alongside a claim that it shows Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine has been approved to be used for "remote contact tracing of all vaccinated humans worldwide". The claim is false. The registered patent is not intended for tracking vaccinated people and has no connection with Pfizer, the patent’s creators and the pharmaceuticals company told AFP.
9 November 2021
More here.
1214. Italy did not revise down its Covid-19 death toll
Social media posts and online articles claim Italian authorities revised down the country's Covid-19 death toll from more than 130,000 to less than 4,000. This is false; the posts and articles misrepresented a report by Italy's leading health institute, which described the claim as "fake news."
5 November 2021
More here.
1213. New Pfizer vaccine ingredient addresses storage issues, not heart problems
Social media posts and an online article say pharmaceutical giant Pfizer added an ingredient used to stabilize heart attack victims to its Covid-19 vaccine for children, linking the move to reports of rare side effects from the shots. This is misleading; Pfizer's new formula containing tromethamine will be used for both children and adults, and the ingredient's purpose is to ease and prolong vaccine storage, the company and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say.
4 November 2021
More here.
1212. This photo shows a music festival in Switzerland in 2018
A photo of huge crowds lining the streets is circulating in Facebook posts that claim it shows an anti-vaccine protest in Italy. The claim is false; the photo shows a street music festival in Switzerland in 2018.
4 November 2021
More here.
1211. Posts falsely claim Pfizer drug treats Covid-19 vaccine side effect
Social media posts claim Pfizer is profiting from myocarditis caused by its Covid-19 vaccine through a drug it sells that treats inflammation of the heart, which has been reported as a rare side effect of the shots. But the drug referenced in the posts treats a different heart disease, according to the pharmaceutical company, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and an independent cardiologist.
2 November 2021
More here.
1210. White House press secretary's Covid-19 case triggers vaccine misinformation
Social media posts claim that because White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was fully vaccinated when she tested positive for Covid-19, shots against the disease do not work. But US health authorities say that while the vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness and death, breakthrough cases among some individuals who have received the shots will still occur.
1 November 2021
More here.
1209. Using your own pen in South Africa’s municipal elections not mandatory, but recommended
Multiple Facebook posts shared in South Africa ahead of local government elections claim that voters need to bring their own pens to mark their ballots. The claim is misleading; while South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) did encourage voters to bring their own pens as a Covid-19 safety precaution, it said pens would be provided as well.
1 November 2021
More here.
1208. Fake poster from Irish health agency spreads false claims about Covid-19 vaccine side effects
An image has been shared repeatedly in social media posts around the world that purports to show a poster from an Irish health agency listing "vaccine side effects" that include "sudden death". The image is a hoax; the Irish health agency says it did not issue the poster.
1 November 2021
More here.
1207. False reports claim police rubber bullets killed anti-lockdown protester in Melbourne
A photo of a man with a bloodied face is circulating in Facebook posts that claim it shows a man called Kyle Mitchell who "died after being hit by rubber bullets" at ananti-lockdown protest in Melbourne, Australia. The claim is false; police said they recorded no such death, while Mitchell told AFP the footage showed him injured after a fight with a store clerk.
1 November 2021
More here.
1206. No evidence that five heads of state were assassinated for rejecting Covid-19 vaccines
A meme shared on Facebook claims that the former leaders of Haiti, Tanzania, Burundi, eSwatini and Ivory Coast were assassinated because they opposed Covid-19 vaccines. But the claim is false: there is no evidence to suggest that the five politicians, who died in the past 16 months, were killed for refusing vaccines.
29 October 2021
More here.
1205. Medical experts discredit claims that Covid-19 swabs are vaccines in disguise
A Facebook post of a video interview featuring American doctor Lorraine Day making multiple false claims about Covid-19 on a YouTube channel called “Israeli News Live” has been viewed thousands of times. Day alleges that “people who have tested for Covid-19 have unknowingly been vaccinated” and insists that vaccines are disguised as tests. But medical experts dismissed the false claim, and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that vaccines cannot be administered using a swab.
28 October 2021
More here.
1204. Video about 'forced vaccination' in Russia is from a satirical YouTube channel
A video has been viewed millions of times in social media posts that claim it shows a mandatory vaccination campaign in Russia. The claim is misleading; the footage was taken from a satirical video that makes fun of Russian bureaucracy. Covid-19 vaccination is only compulsory for certain key workers in Russia, as of October 28, 2021.
28 October 2021
More here.
1203. CDC did not say shots are riskier for children than Covid-19
Social media posts claim US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows children are 107 times more likely to die from Covid-19 shots than from the disease itself. But the CDC says the claim is false, and that it has not found any instances of Covid-19 vaccines causing or contributing to deaths in children.
27 October 2021
More here.
1202. Graphene is not a Covid-19 vaccine ingredient, nor is it found in beach sand
A video shared hundreds of times on Facebook in South Africa features two Australian women using a magnet to trap particles of black beach sand, which they claim is graphene that ends up in vaccines, food and other items. But these claims are false: experts have repeatedly said that none of the Covid-19 vaccines contains graphene. A geologist told AFP Fact Check that the dark beach particles occur naturally all over the world and are not graphene, which is a synthesised material.
27 October 2021
More here.
1201. This video shows a pre-pandemic protest by indigenous groups in Brazil
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple social media posts that claim it shows indigenous Australians defending themselves with bows and arrows against compulsory Covid-19 vaccinations. The claim is false: the video predates the pandemic. It shows indigenous groups in Brazil protesting in 2019 against a proposal to transfer indigenous health services from the federal government to municipalities. Covid-19 vaccination is only compulsory at a national level for certain key workers in Australia, as of October 27, 2021.
27 October 2021
More here.
1200. Social media posts push unproven and 'dangerous' Covid-19 treatments
Social media posts claim that doctors who do not treat hospitalized Covid-19 patients with a combination of ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine and several other drugs are guilty of malpractice if the sick person dies. This is false; health agencies and experts advise against several of the treatments listed, and legal experts say that for this reason the claim does not describe malpractice.
25 October 2021
More here.
1199. Posts misleadingly claim anti-viral drug could replace Covid-19 vaccines
A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter claims that the oral anti-viral drug molnupiravir can "cure" Covid-19, rendering vaccines pointless. The claim is misleading: although clinical trials indicate molnuprivir could be an effective treatment for Covid-19, it has not been approved by national or international health authorities for use as of October 25, 2021. Health experts have warned the drug should not be considered a replacement for Covid-19 vaccines.
25 October 2021
More here.
1198. Flawed experiments fail to prove Covid-19 vaccines contain dangerous substances
An American osteopath warns against taking Covid-19 shots, claiming an experiment she conducted revealed a tentacled "object or organism" in Moderna's vaccine. But experts say the experiment was not conducted under appropriate conditions and that its results cannot be verified, and that the doctor's claim that Johnson & Johnson's shot contains graphene is false.
22 October 2021
More here.
1197. US remarks on economy misleadingly portrayed as threat to unvaccinated
An RT article suggests a top US Treasury official sought to blackmail unvaccinated Americans by saying shortages of goods would continue until they all receive Covid-19 shots. But the shortages and higher prices are caused by increased demand and a lack of workers rather than a government plot, and the Treasury official said worldwide vaccination is needed to return the economy to a more consistent state that resembles what came before the coronavirus pandemic.
22 October 2021
More here.
1196. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain live parasites, experts say
A claim that Covid-19 vaccines contain parasites that could grow inside an inoculated person's body has been shared repeatedly on several social media posts in South Korea. But these posts -- which recommend those who were vaccinated to take the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin -- are false. Vaccines are manufactured in sterile environments and do not contain parasites as ingredients, experts told AFP. They also warned against the use of ivermectin, citing health risks.
22 October 2021
More here.
1195. Sri Lankan minister did not promise new drug can 'eradicate' Covid
Facebook posts circulating in Sri Lanka claim a junior health minister said in a statement that antiviral drug molnupiravir could soon be used to "fully eradicate" Covid-19 in the island nation. The posts are misleading: the junior minister said molnupiravir could be used to treat Covid-19 patients, but he did not state it could "eradicate" the illness. Health experts warned the drug should not be considered as a replacement for Covid-19 vaccines. The drug's manufacturer said it may significantly reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death in high-risk patients suffering from an early stage of the disease based on a clinical trial it did.
20 October 2021
More here.
1194. Colin Powell's death sparks misleading claims about Covid-19 vaccines
Social media posts claim that Colin Powell's death from complications caused by Covid-19 means vaccines against the disease are ineffective. This is misleading; Powell had a type of cancer that experts say undermines the efficacy of the shots, and data shows his age left him especially vulnerable.
19 October 2021
More here.
1193. This video circulated in pre-pandemic posts about a man smashing an airport check-in machine
A video has been viewed thousands of times in Facebook and Twitter posts that claim it shows a man destroying a "vaccine passport machine" at an airport. But the posts are misleading; the clip was filmed before the pandemic and circulated in posts about a man destroying check-in machines in South Korea's Incheon airport.
19 October 2021
More here.
1192. Retired US chiropractor makes multiple false claims about Covid-19
During a meeting in Orange County, Florida, a retired chiropractor made several false claims about Covid-19 and vaccines. A three-minute video of his testimony has been shared widely on social media. In the video, Kevin Stillwagon repeats previously debunked myths about Covid-19. AFP Fact Check takes a look at them.
19 October 2021
More here.
1191. Footage shows US security guards clashing with Nevada politician and not the state’s governor
A video of security guards frogmarching a Black man has been shared thousands of times on Facebook in Nigeria alongside a claim that it shows the governor of Nevada state being manhandled because he is an African-American unknown to the police. However, the man in the clip is Republican politician Mack Miller, who is vying for the office of lieutenant governor in Nevada, but is not the incumbent governor. Another video of the same events shows Miller was not the only one ejected from the meeting where local officials passed a resolution declaring Covid-19 misinformation a public health crisis.
18 October 2021
More here.
1190. False posts misrepresent Australian TV show's debunk of Covid 'crisis actors' conspiracy
A clip from the Australian TV show "Media Watch" has been shared repeatedly in social media posts that claim it revealed how actors posed as Covid-19 patients in a hospital in Sydney. The claim is false: the clip has been edited from a longer report that actually debunked rumours about the "crisis actors" and showed that they were genuine Covid patients.
18 October 2021
More here.
1189. This video of Indonesian President Joko Widodo was taken before the Covid-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed thousands of times in Facebook and Twitter posts that claim it shows Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife dancing without face masks at the National Games event in October 2021. The claim is false; the footage was filmed in October 2019, months before Indonesia reported its first Covid-19 cases.
18 October 2021
More here.
1188. Australian army chief did not announce 'mandatory vaccination'
A video of Australian Lieutenant General John Frewen has been viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts that claim he announced all Australians must get at least one Covid-19 jab before Christmas 2021. The claim is misleading; Frewen said every Australian would be offered at least one jab before Christmas. Covid-19 vaccination is only compulsory for certain key workers in Australia, as of October 18.
18 October 2021
More here.
1187. US chiropractor misleads on Covid-19 vaccines harming immune system
A chiropractor claims in an online video that Covid-19 shots can undermine the immune system, citing test results from a patient. But experts in immunology and infectious diseases say the results do not prove the chiropractor's claims, and an epidemiologist says the vaccines are safe even for people who are already experiencing problems with their immune systems.
15 October 2021
More here.
1186. US military is not dishonorably discharging 350,000 Covid-19 vaccine holdouts
An online article shared on social media in October 2021 claims that some 350,000 US military personnel are being dishonorably discharged for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. This is false; the Pentagon says the figure is inaccurate, and that the requirements are not yet in effect.
15 October 2021
More here.
1185. Posts falsely claim White House staff exempt from vaccination order
Social media posts claim US government workers and pharmaceutical company staff are exempt from Covid-19 vaccination requirements. But President Joe Biden did issue an executive order directing federal employees to get vaccinated, while pharmaceutical firms are also telling their staff to get the shots.
15 October 2021
More here.
1184. Posts falsely claim Taiwan president's Covid-19 jab 'had no needle'
A video of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen receiving her Covid-19 shot at a Taipei hospital has been viewed thousands of times in multiple social media posts alongside a claim there was no needle in the jab. The claim is false: the needle can be seen in other footage taken during Tsai's vaccination. The hospital told AFP that Tsai was vaccinated with a pre-filled syringe which has an undetachable needle.
14 October 2021
More here.
1183. Pre-pandemic video of Indian baby with deformed limbs does not relate to vaccines
A video has circulated in Korean-language social media posts that claim it shows a baby born with defects caused by a Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is false: the video shows a baby born in India more than one year before the country started vaccinating its population against Covid-19. Global health experts have recommended pregnant women should get vaccinated for Covid-19, saying the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
14 October 2021
More here.
1182. Posts falsely claim to share 'Macron's speech about unvaccinated people'
Social media posts circulating worldwide have shared what they claim is a speech by French President Emmanuel Macron ordering those unvaccinated against Covid-19 to "stay at home". The posts circulated online after France introduced a "Covid health pass" for restaurants, bars, cultural venues, trains, and planes. The claim is false: the posts shared comments originally published by Italian journalist Selvaggia Lucarelli. As of October 14, 2021, there was no evidence that Macron made the comments.
14 October 2021
More here.
1181. Canadian news footage fuels inaccurate claims about Covid-19 hospitalizations
Social media posts suggest the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is being exaggerated, claiming that a Canadian hospital has mannequins in its beds instead of patients suffering from the disease. But the posts feature an image of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) footage that was recorded in a training center, not a hospital.
13 October 2021
More here.
1180. Inhaling vinegar cannot treat Covid-19 symptoms
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook and TikTok claim that inhaling vinegar can treat symptoms of Covid-19 by clearing sputum from a patient's airways. The claim is false. Health experts say the claim is “baseless” and the method “can be potentially harmful, both directly and indirectly”.
13 October 2021
More here.
1179. Israeli doctor's comments on Covid-19 vaccines misrepresented in social media posts
Footage of an Israeli doctor speaking about Covid-19 vaccines has been viewed more than one million times in social media posts that claim he criticises the jabs. The posts are misleading; the doctor was in fact encouraging vaccination in the full interview, which has been edited to make it appear he says the shot is ineffective.
13 October 2021
More here.
1178. Vaccination does not increase the likelihood of Covid-19 infection
Online articles and social media posts use studies on Covid-19 vaccination to claim that the shots make people more vulnerable to contracting the disease. But experts say the claims misrepresent the research, and that unvaccinated people are at greater risk of infection, hospitalization and death.
11 October 2021
More here.
1177. Photo falsely claimed to show French protest against vaccine mandate
Instagram posts about opposition to "mandatory vaccination" feature a photo of a large crowd in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. But the photo predates the Covid-19 pandemic, and was taken during anti-government protests in France in 2018.
8 October 2021
More here.
1176. Covid-19 vaccination does not make MRI scans dangerous
Social media posts claim "electromagnetism" from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be dangerous for people who have recently been vaccinated against Covid-19. This is false; medical experts say MRIs pose no such risk, and have repeatedly debunked claims that the vaccines contain magnetic ingredients.
7 October 2021
More here.
1175. This photo shows an anti-government protest in Algiers before the Covid-19 pandemic
A photo of crowds gathered in the street is doing the rounds in Facebook posts claiming it shows a "revolution" against Covid-19 restrictions in Algeria. The claim is false; the photo shows a March 2019 protest in the capital Algiers against the re-election of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The picture was taken nearly a year before the first Covid-19 case was detected in Algeria in February 2020.
7 October 2021
More here.
1174. Canadian province's Covid-19 order does not authorize martial law
A video shared on social media claims that martial law will be imposed in Canada in October 2021. This is false; the document cited as evidence is an emergency order aimed at curbing the Covid-19 pandemic in the province of Saskatchewan, and does not authorize a military deployment.
6 October 2021
More here.
1173. Basketball star's shirt altered in social media photos
Social media posts feature an image of NBA player Draymond Green wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with a cartoon syringe and strong language, as the league pushes for players to be vaccinated. But the picture has been digitally altered, and the original version was shared in 2017, years before Covid-19 swept through the United States.
6 October 2021
More here.
1172. Old photo recirculates in false posts about 2021 anti-vaccination protests in Melbourne
An image has been shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows an anti-vaccination protest in Melbourne -- Australia's second-largest city -- in September 2021. The claim is false: the image shows workers in Melbourne rallying against labour laws in 2006.
4 October 2021
More here.
1171. Canadian doctor's remark misrepresented as evidence of inflated Covid-19 count
Social media posts claim Canada's Alberta is inflating its Covid-19 case count, citing a remark by the province's chief medical officer about people who are ill but do not get tested being considered part of the outbreak. This is misleading; Alberta's government says Deena Hinshaw was discussing protocols for school outbreaks, and the doctor clarified that the official Covid-19 tally does not include cases not confirmed through testing.
1 October 2021
More here.
1170. Graphic photos do not show Melbourne protesters wounded by rubber bullets
Facebook and Instagram posts are sharing photos they claim show protesters wounded by rubber bullets at an anti-lockdown march in Melbourne, Australia. The claim is false; the photos were taken after protests in Argentina and the United States.
30 September 2021
More here.
1169. Flawed Canadian study cited as evidence Covid-19 shots are dangerous
Online articles and social media posts cite a Canadian study on the risk of heart inflammation following Covid-19 vaccination to claim the shots are dangerous. But the study was withdrawn at the request of its authors, who said the paper contained a "major error."
30 September 2021
More here.
1168. False posts misrepresent sketch as actual video of Philippine police slapping Covid mask violators
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows actual footage of a Philippine police officer slapping people in the street for failing to follow Covid mask rules. The claim is false. The video shows a sketch created by a Philippine production studio that has a history of publishing provocative content.
30 September 2021
More here.
1167. Video shows South Africa heritage celebration, not Zulu anti-vaccine protest
Social media posts claim a video shows South Africa's Zulus protesting against mandatory vaccination. This is false; while South Africa has announced plans for vaccine passports, the video shows people celebrating the country's Heritage Day, not opposing mandatory shots.
29 September 2021
More here.
1166. Video shows anti-corruption rally in Romania in 2017 -- its vaccination centres remain open in 2021
Footage of a huge protest has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter alongside a claim the demonstration forced the Romanian government to close all vaccination centres. The claim is false. The footage actually shows an anti-corruption rally in Romania in 2017. The Romanian government closed some of its Covid-19 vaccination centres in September 2021 — but hundreds remain open as of September 23, 2021, officials told AFP.
29 September 2021
More here.
1165. Vaccine cards are not required to get hired in South Africa
A Facebook post shared thousands of times in South Africa claimed that proof of Covid-19 vaccination was now compulsory for job seekers. But this is misleading: while some companies have introduced mandatory vaccination, this does not apply to all job seekers. The government said it would not force anyone to get the jab but instead encouraged voluntary inoculations.
28 September 2021
More here.
1164. No evidence Canada teen was hospitalized after Covid-19 shot
A video circulating online shows a woman claiming that a teenager in Halifax, Canada, was hospitalized due to cardiac arrest after receiving a Covid-19 shot. But the Nova Scotia Department of Health described the claim as "misinformation" and said there is no evidence the incident occurred.
28 September 2021
More here.
1163. Imposter account falsely claims unvaccinated Australians will be sent to 'isolation camps'
A social media post from an Instagram page named "7newsvictoria" claims Australians who "are not vaccinated by the end of the year will be put into isolation camps". But the image -- which has been shared repeatedly on Facebook -- is a hoax. The Australian Health Department told AFP the claim was false. Australian broadcaster 7NEWS said the now-deleted Instagram page does not belong to them.
28 September 2021
More here.
1162. Vaccine certificate shared online is from 1906, historians say
A photo of a vaccine certificate has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok alongside a claim that it shows the "world's oldest vaccine certificate" that was issued in 1721 under the Ottoman Empire. However, the claim is false. Historians told AFP that the document, written mostly in Ottoman Turkish, dates from 1906 — and is not the world's oldest vaccine certificate.
24 September 2021
More here.
1161. Australian vaccine safety figures do not show link between Covid jabs and miscarriages
Social media posts have shared a claim that four miscarriages in women who received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid jab were reported by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) from August 28 to 30. Comments to the posts indicate people thought the vaccine caused the miscarriages. But the posts are false. Figures from the TGA -- Australia's drug regulator -- show no reports of miscarriages for the said period. Experts say "no link" has been found between Covid-19 vaccines and miscarriages.
24 September 2021
More here.
1160. Old photo misused in false posts about Lee Hsien Loong lining up for Covid-19 jab
An image has been shared in multiple social media posts alongside a claim it shows Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong "queue[ing] up for the Covid-19 vaccine with the citizens" of the city-state. But the claim is false; the photo predates the Covid-19 pandemic. It has circulated online since 2014 in reports about Lee queuing up for fried chicken wings.
24 September 2021
More here.
1159. South African party mispresents health data to draw false conclusions about safety of Covid-19 vaccines
A South African political party claims in widely shared Facebook posts that Covid-19 jabs are unsafe, based on reported side effects experienced by vaccinated people. But AFP Fact Check found the basic research used as evidence in the claim comes from a database that clearly explains how reported reactions to various drugs do not necessarily equate to actual side effects. Vaccines have scientifically been proven to be safe and outweigh any potential risks. The political party also promotes ivermectin as a Covid-19 drug but regulators say there is inadequate proof to show it is a viable treatment for the disease.
23 September 2021
More here.
1158. False testimony at FDA meeting claims Covid-19 shots are dangerous
Public testimony at a US Food and Drug Administration meeting claimed that more lives are lost to Covid-19 vaccines than are saved by the shots. But the FDA described the statements as "not based in science," and medical experts say the comments are inaccurate.
23 September 2021
More here.
1157. US counties cannot access CDC and Census data to identify the unvaccinated
An online article says US Census data and CDC vaccination numbers were compared by a Kentucky county health department to determine the vaccination status of its residents. This is false; the Census Bureau and the CDC deny sharing any data with local officials that would lead to singling out the vaccinated from the unvaccinated, noting that to do so would break the law.
23 September 2021
More here.
1156. Covid-19 vaccines do not affect blood color
Social media posts claim that Covid-19 vaccines negatively affect blood, using a photo of two bags of the liquid -- one lighter red than the other -- as evidence. This is false; experts say the difference in color is due to oxygenation levels, and that the shots will not impact blood color.
23 September 2021
More here.
1155. Fake message circulates in Australia warning 'troops will enforce mandatory vaccination'
A purported text message circulating in Australia claims troops will be sent door-to-door to enforce Covid-19 vaccinations in New South Wales -- the country's most populous state. A government spokesperson, however, said the purported message was fake. As of September 23, 2021, Covid-19 vaccination remains voluntary for all Australians except for certain key workers.
23 September 2021
More here.
1154. Doctored images of health officials circulate online
A compilation of images of health officials from around the world is circulating on social media in posts that attempt to discredit people who have been the public face of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. But the images of officials from Canada and the US city of Los Angeles have been doctored.
21 September 2021
More here.
1153. Facebook users share misleading claim about former FDA official
Multiple Facebook posts claim that a former vice president of US agribusiness Monsanto is also the "current Deputy Commissioner" of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The posts -- shared repeatedly online in August 2021 -- shared two identical photos of US lawyer Michael R Taylor. The claim is misleading: Taylor stepped down from his role at the FDA in 2016.
21 September 2021
More here.
1152. Covid-19 case numbers do not show that vaccines are ineffective
Social media posts claim peak active cases of Covid-19 were lower in 2020 than after the rollout of vaccines in 2021, suggesting this means the shots are ineffective. But experts say hospitalizations and deaths -- which are much likelier to occur among the unvaccinated -- are the key metrics of how well the shots work.
20 September 2021
More here.
1151. Posts mislead about coronavirus response in Canada, Japan, Germany
Facebook posts say Canada's Alberta province lifted all coronavirus pandemic measures, Germany suspended licenses for Covid-19 vaccines, and Japan is recommending the drug ivermectin as a treatment for the disease. But the posts -- some of which include claims about Romania as well as Denmark -- repeat inaccurate assertions that have been previously fact-checked by AFP.
20 September 2021
More here.
1150. This video has circulated in reports about a woman who 'refused to go into quarantine' in Vietnam
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media platforms alongside a claim it shows health workers attempting to forcibly vaccinate a woman in China. The claim is false: the video has circulated in reports about healthcare workers approaching a woman who "refused to go to quarantine" in Vietnam.
20 September 2021
More here.
1149. Sri Lankan posts misleadingly tout traditional medicine as coronavirus 'cure'
Facebook posts circulating in Sri Lanka have shared an image of a newspaper article claiming thousands of Covid-19 patients "completely recovered" after being treated with traditional Ayurveda medicine. The posts are misleading: the article refers to people who were treated with traditional medicine for mild and moderate Covid-19 symptoms at the island's Ayurveda hospitals. Sri Lankan health authorities warned that herbal remedies had not been proven to "cure" Covid-19.
19 September 2021
More here.
1148. This photo of crowded beach in Sydney was taken years before the Covid-19 pandemic
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times purport to show a photo of crowds packed onto Sydney's Bondi Beach in September 2021 as the city imposed strict lockdown measures to curb a spike in Covid-19 cases. However, the claim is false. The photo has circulated online since at least 2012.
18 September 2021.
More here.
1147. US not requiring Covid-19 shots for veterans to receive benefits
An online article claims US President Joe Biden ordered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to withhold health benefits from former members of the military who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. But the department says the claim is untrue, and the article appears on a website that states its content is "made up."
17 September 2021
More here.
1146. CDC has not warned of polio-like illness outbreak in 2021
An article shared hundreds of times on social media claims that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of an expected outbreak of a polio-like illness in 2021, with some social media users suggesting this is an attempt to cover up adverse reactions to vaccines. This is false: the CDC's alert was from 2020 and it has issued no such warning in 2021. Furthermore, there is no link between that illness and Covid-19 vaccination, the public health agency told AFP, while data shows that Covid-19 vaccines are overwhelmingly safe.
17 September 2021
More here.
1145. List of employers that supposedly do not mandate Covid-19 shots is mostly false
A graphic published on Facebook in South Africa claims that Covid-19 vaccine mandates do not apply to staff at various federal US agencies, pharmaceutical companies and the World Health Organization (WHO). This is partly false; six of the seven entities listed in the graphic have made it mandatory for employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Only the WHO has abstained.
16 September 2021
More here.
1144. Anthony Fauci’s wife is not head of the US Food and Drug Administration
Facebook and TikTok posts viewed thousands of times claim that the wife of top US Covid-19 advisor Anthony Fauci is the acting head of the US Food and Drug Administration and "approved the Pfizer vaccine". The claims are false; Christine Grady is the chief of bioethics at the US National Institutes for Health, which was not involved in the approval of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines in the United States.
16 September 2021
More here.
1143. Fabricated poll results show Canada's PPC leading major parties
Social media posts feature a graphic showing the right-wing People's Party of Canada (PPC) polling ahead of major parties in the run-up to the Canadian federal election. This is false; despite a recent surge in popularity, the PPC has never reached 22 percent of voting intentions nationally, according to the polling company referenced in the graphic.
15 September 2021
More here.
1142. Experts dismiss claim that ivermectin causes sterility in men
Social media posts claim that the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin causes sterility in 85 percent of men who take it. But experts say the claim is not backed by evidence, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not list sterility as a side effect for the medication.
14 September 2021
More here.
1141. Misleading Nicki Minaj tweet spreads Covid-19 vaccine impotence fears
Rapper Nicki Minaj suggested on Twitter that Covid-19 vaccines can cause male impotence, saying a relative's friend suffered that condition as well as testicular swelling after being immunized. But experts dismissed the claim, saying the shots have not been found to affect fertility or male genitalia.
14 September 2021
More here.
1140. Covid-19 vaccination not required to shop at Walmart in Canada
Social media posts claim that proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required to shop at Walmart stores in Canada starting on November 1, 2021. But the retail giant told AFP the statement circulating online is false.
14 September 2021
More here.
1139. US Marine chief did not 'warn against getting Covid-19 jabs'
Social media posts claim the commandant of the US Marine Corps, General David Berger, described Covid-19 jabs as "potentially hazardous" and rebuked mandatory shots for his troops. The posts circulated online after the Pentagon said all members of the US military would be required to be vaccinated for Covid-19 from mid-September. Some social media users appeared to believe the posts showed Berger's genuine remarks. But the purported comments in fact originated on a satirical website.
13 September 2021
More here.
1138. Satirical article about Bill Gates' 'vaccine warning' misleads social media users
Multiple Facebook posts circulating in Thailand have shared a claim that billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates said Covid-19 vaccines are "far more dangerous than anyone imagined". But the purported comments -- which some social media users appeared to believe were genuine -- originated in a satirical report. A spokesperson for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation told AFP that Bill Gates did not make the purported remarks.
13 September 2021
More here.
1137. Germany has not 'terminated all Covid-19 vaccinations' due to safety fears
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts in August 2021 that claim it shows Germany terminated all Covid-19 vaccinations over safety fears. The claim is false, according to Germany's Federal Ministry of Health. As of September 13, 2021, four vaccines approved by the European Union are being administered in Germany. The video actually shows a "pandemic exit" simulation staged by an anti-lockdown group.
13 September 2021
More here.
1136. Posts about 'plans for cashless system' in Australian state share fake press release
Social media posts circulating in September 2021 claim the Australian state of New South Wales announced plans to establish a "cashless society by 2022" in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19. However, the claim is false. The posts share a fake press release and a government spokesperson told AFP that the reports were baseless.
13 September 2021
More here.
1135. List of tips for fighting Covid-19 contains misleading advice
Facebook posts list tips for battling a Covid-19 infection at home that are said to be from a "nurse friend." But medical experts say some of the advice is misguided or ineffective.
10 September 2021
More here.
1134. Malaysian Health Ministry denies imposing fine for not using new function on contact tracing app
As Malaysia's Health Ministry introduced a new "check out" function on its official contact tracing app in September 2021, multiple social media posts claim that people who do not check out on the app when they leave any location or premise will be fined 1,500 ringgit ($361). However, the claim is false; the Malaysian Ministry of Health denies the existence of the purported fine.
10 September 2021
More here.
1133. Misleading posts on purported 'Covid jab deaths' in Australia push anti-vaccine fears
Social media posts in Australia have shared graphics that they claim show actual "Covid-19 vaccine deaths" and adverse events in the country. The posts claim the figures were released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the country's medical regulator. But these graphics -- which have caused alarm around Covid-19 jabs -- have misrepresented TGA figures. Similar fake graphics have been previously disowned by the TGA.
10 September 2021
More here.
1132. Fake report claims Sri Lankan army alleged 'corruption' at Covid-19 vaccine drive
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim a Sri Lankan army officer wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa alleging corruption at a Covid-19 vaccination drive at a military hospital. The posts purport to show an article reporting the news. However, the claim is false; the article is a fabrication, while the army said the story was "baseless".
10 September 2021
More here.
1131. No, the US Senate has not declared the novel coronavirus is 'a scam'
A video of a press conference held by US senators has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim that the US Senate has announced that "corona is a scam". This is misleading. The US Senate has never made such a declaration, a spokesman for the Senate majority leader told AFP. While the Republican senators in the video are raising questions about the origin of the novel coronavirus, they are not doubting its existence.
10 September 2021
More here.
1130. This image from an episode of The Simpsons has been digitally altered to add a reference to vaccines
An image has been shared multiple times in Facebook posts that claim it shows a character from The Simpsons holding a piece of paper supposedly containing a phrase that predicted the vaccine rollout in 2021. The image, however, has been digitally altered: in the original Simpsons episode, the paper has a different phrase unrelated to vaccines written on it.
9 September 2021
More here.
1129. Inhaling onion fumes does not kill Covid-19, experts say
A post has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and in multiple blog posts that claim the coronavirus can be killed by inhaling onion fumes and eating onions. But the claim is false; health experts say there is no evidence that onions can kill the virus or prevent Covid-19 infections.
9 September 2021
More here.
1128. Study did not say vaccinated Covid-19 patients carry higher viral load
Online articles and social media posts claim a University of Oxford study found that vaccinated Covid-19 patients carry 251 times the viral load of those who have not received the shots. But the study's authors said the claim is a misrepresentation of their findings, as did a public health expert.
9 September 2021
More here.
1127. South Korea has not proposed legislation to make PCR tests mandatory
Multiple social media posts circulating in August 2021 claim South Korea has proposed a new bill that would make PCR tests mandatory. However, the claim is misleading: as of September 8, 2021, the bill contains no such reference to mandatory PCR tests. The lawmaker's office that proposed the bill told AFP there was no intention it could be used to compel such tests.
8 September 2021
More here.
1126. Oklahoma hospitals are not overwhelmed by ivermectin overdoses
Online articles and social media posts claim that overdose cases from people using anti-parasitic drug ivermectin against Covid-19 are overwhelming hospitals in Oklahoma, citing remarks by a doctor in the US state. But hospitals at which the doctor has worked rejected the claim, and the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information said it has received limited calls about problems related to the drug.
8 September 2021
More here.
1125. False posts about 'depopulation through forced vaccination' target Bill Gates
As more Covid-19 jabs are administered globally, social media posts have shared a newspaper report with a claim that it shows billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates calling for "depopulation through forced vaccination". The claim is false. The newspaper -- which has a history of publishing vaccine misinformation -- has misrepresented remarks made by Gates in 2010 about population growth, where he made no reference to "depopulation".
8 September 2021
More here.
1124. This photo shows people in the Philippines waiting for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
A photo has circulated in Chinese-language social media posts that claim it shows crowds in Singapore queuing for Chinese Covid-19 vaccines. The claim is false: the photo actually shows people in the Philippines waiting in line for German-made Pfizer-BioNTech jabs.
7 September 2021
More here.
1123. Japan has not endorsed ivermectin as Covid-19 treatment
Social media posts suggest that Japan's government recommends using antiparasitic drug ivermectin to treat Covid-19, citing remarks by the chairman of the Tokyo Medical Association. This is misleading; while he cautiously supported the treatment, the association does not represent the country's government, which has not endorsed ivermectin for that use.
7 September 2021
More here.
1122. Protest video spreads false claims in South Africa about Covid-19 and vaccines
An anti-vaccine protester makes a string of false allegations about Covid-19 in a video shared on Facebook in South Africa, including that vaccines have not been officially approved, children don’t die from the disease, and PCR tests are fraudulent. AFP Fact Check has investigated and debunked the claims.
7 September 2021
More here.
1121. Posts mislead on vaccination centre closures in Romania
A video has been viewed thousands of times on YouTube and Facebook in August 2021 alongside a claim that all Covid-19 vaccination centres were set to be closed in Romania due to declining demand for vaccines. The claim is misleading: Romanian health authorities said while some Covid-19 vaccination centres had been temporarily wound down, vaccines were still available at centres across the country.
6 September 2021
More here.
1120. This photo shows Ajith Rohana with friends before his Covid-19 hospitalisation
A photo has been shared in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows former Sri Lankan police official Ajith Rohana reunited with his children after he was hospitalised with Covid-19. The posts are misleading; the picture shows Rohana with a local musician and his wife before his ordeal with Covid-19.
6 September 2021
More here.
1119. Footage of Covid-19 victim in Indonesia misused in posts about Filipino comedian’s death
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows someone mourning the death of a popular Filipino comedian who died from Covid-19 in the Philippines. This is false: the footage was actually taken in Indonesia. It has circulated in reports about an Indonesian health worker who died from Covid-19.
6 September 2021
More here.
1118. South African heart surgeon uses webinar to spread Covid-19 vaccine misinformation
A BitChute video featuring South African cardiothoracic specialist Dr Susan Vosloo sharing her views on Covid-19 and vaccines during an online meeting has circulated widely on social media. In the clip, Vosloo makes a string of false allegations about the disease and reiterates previously debunked myths about Covid-19 vaccines. AFP Fact Check looks at her various claims.
2 September 2021
More here.
1117. Companies refute claim they stopped offering life insurance in response to Covid-19 vaccines
Multiple Facebook posts claim that several Australian companies' decisions to stop offering life insurance policies are linked to Covid-19 vaccines, and that the companies will not cover people who have been vaccinated. However, the claim is misleading; all three companies involved told AFP that their decisions were not related to Covid-19 vaccines, and that receiving a Covid-19 vaccination approved for use in Australia would not exclude people from existing life insurance policies.
2 September 2021
More here.
1116. Hoax report promotes 'Covid-19 cash handouts for mothers' in the Philippines
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a purported news report claiming mothers in the Philippines became eligible for a 10,000 pesos (USD200) handout after a Covid-19 lockdown was announced in some regions. But multiple government officials told AFP the claim is false. The hoax report was originally posted by an imposter site.
2 September 2021
More here.
1115. Myanmar social media users share misleading Delta variant posts
Facebook users in Myanmar have shared claims that patients infected with the more transmissible Delta coronavirus variant manifest "new" and "untestable" symptoms. The claims are misleading. Experts say patients infected with the Delta variant show similar symptoms to those infected with other Covid-19 variants, and the symptoms can be detected through nasal swab tests.
2 September 2021
More here.
1114. Footage of crowd shows university protest in Kenya, not Covid-19 demonstration in France
A video shared hundreds of times on Facebook claims to show people in France being dispersed by police during a protest against Covid-19 vaccines. But the claim is false: the clip shows students from the University of Nairobi in Kenya demonstrating against fee increases.
1 September 2021
More here.
1113. False posts claiming 'vaccination causes coronavirus to mutate' spread online in Sri Lanka
Social media users in Sri Lanka have shared a video featuring an indigenous medicine practitioner who claims Covid-19 vaccinations cause an increase in coronavirus variants and kill more people. But these claims are false. Experts told AFP viruses mutate "independent of the vaccine", and approved Covid-19 vaccines prevent severe disease and death.
1 September 2021
More here.
1112. This photo does not show a vaccine passport protest in France -- it was taken at a demonstration in 2015
An image has been shared in multiple social media posts about protests against so-called vaccine passports in France. The posts, however, are misleading: the image was taken by an AFP photographer at a demonstration in Paris following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January 2015.
1 September 2021
More here.
1111. Video does not show Putin supporting US probe into pandemic origin
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Twitter alongside a claim it shows Russian President Vladimir Putin pledging his support for a US-led investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the clip shows Putin speaking about Russian Covid-19 vaccines in February, months before US President Joe Biden ordered the investigation.
1 September 2021
More here.
1110. Tenpenny's gospel: How an indebted anti-vaxxer sells Covid falsehoods
For Sherri Tenpenny, God is on the side of those who spurn Covid-19 vaccines. Making money, critics say, is the Ohio osteopath's higher calling.
31 August 2021
More here.
1109. US regulators approved Pfizer-BioNTech shot under new name
Articles and social media posts shared thousands of times claim that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not give full approval to the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech. This is false; the agency signed off on the shot for Americans aged 16 and older on August 23, 2021.
31 August 2021
More here.
1108. Video makes false claim about 'children dying after Covid-19 vaccinations in Australia'
A video viewed tens of thousands of times on social media claims that two children died from a Covid-19 vaccine in Australia's most populous city, Sydney. The claim is false: as of August 31, Australia has not recorded any deaths from the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, the only coronavirus vaccine that has been given to under-18s in the country.
31 August 2021
More here.
1107. Newspaper article spreads misinformation in Pakistan about Covid-19 vaccinations
As Pakistan battled a fourth coronavirus wave, a screenshot of an Urdu-language newspaper article warned about the "dangerous consequences" of Covid-19 vaccines. The article -- which was shared thousands of times on Facebook -- makes a string of misleading claims about the jabs.
31 August 2021
More here.
1106. This video of robots 'attacking' shoppers is computer-generated
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts claiming it shows a few "pandemic robots" enforcing mask-wearing rules in a shopping mall. But the claim is false: the video actually shows computer-generated imagery created by a visual artist.
30 August 2021
More here.
1105. This photo shows Pope Francis' visit to Brazil in 2013
A photo has been shared repeatedly in Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows anti-lockdown protesters on a beach in Sydney, Australia's largest city. The claim is false: the AFP photo actually shows crowds gathered on a beach in Brazil during Pope Francis' visit in July 2013. There have been anti-lockdown protests in Australian cities but as of August 30, 2021, the crowds have been far smaller than the one shown in the photo.
30 August 2021
More here.
1104. Proof of vaccination not required to vote in Canada
Social media posts urge those not yet vaccinated against Covid-19 to vote early in the upcoming Canadian federal election, before proof of vaccination requirements enter into effect in the province of British Columbia. But Elections Canada and the provincial government say that no proof of vaccination will be required to vote.
27 August 2021
More here.
1103. Social media users share false list of Chinese guidelines for Sinovac's vaccine
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts have shared a purported list of China’s guidelines for its CoronaVac jab, produced by Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Sinovac. The posts claim the list was released by the “Beijing Vaccination Prevention Center”. The claims are false: the official guidelines for China’s vaccination program -- released by its National Health Commission -- are not specific to CoronaVac. They also do not correspond with the guidelines listed in the misleading social media posts.
27 August 2021
More here.
1102. Misleading posts about 'Australia buying fake vaccines from Poland' misuse news report
Shortly after Australia announced that it had purchased Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines from Poland, Facebook users began sharing a BBC news report about fake jabs in the European country. These posts are misleading and have misrepresented the news report. The BBC reported in April that Polish authorities found no one had received the fake doses. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines that arrived in Australia from Poland have been found "satisfactory for release" by drug regulators.
27 August 2021
More here.
1101. Hoax advert touting cheap Covid-19 tests circulates in Sri Lanka
An advert that purports to show cheap "rapid antigen kit produced in Sri Lanka" has circulated on Facebook as Covid-19 infections surged in the island nation in August. The advert is a hoax. It shows an image of a professional-use test kit produced in Switzerland -- not Sri Lanka. Contact details indicated in the advert belong to a former politician who called the posts a "shameful false claim". Home test kits for Covid-19 have not been approved in Sri Lanka as of August 26.
27 August 2021
More here.
1100. US drug regulator did not approve thalidomide in the 1960s
Social media posts claim the US Food and Drug Administration approved the drug thalidomide, which caused serious birth defects in the 1950s and 1960s. But the regulatory agency did not do so at the time, procedures have been tightened in the last 60 years, and a recently approved Covid-19 vaccine was subject to clinical trials and independent review.
26 August 2021
More here.
1099. Fake chain message claims Thai doctor ordered lockdown after Covid-19 variant 'outbreak'
A message circulating on Facebook, Twitter and Line claims a doctor at Thailand's largest hospital warned people in the kingdom to stay indoors after medics recorded an outbreak of a Covid-19 variant known as Lambda. The claim is false: as of August 26, 2021, the Thai Department of Disease Control said no outbreak of the Lambda variant had been recorded in the kingdom. The hospital that employs the doctors cited in the posts said he had not issued the purported warning.
26 August 2021
More here.
1098. Posts falsely claim Kadhafi 'predicted the Covid-19 pandemic'
A claim has been shared widely on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that the late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi predicted the Covid-19 pandemic. The posts, which included an image of Kadhafi speaking at the United Nations in 2009, cite a comment he purportedly made: "They will create the viruses themselves and sell you the antidotes." The claim is misleading: the posts have misquoted Kadhafi 's 2009 speech.
26 August 2021
More here.
1097. Satirical article about 'Australian prisoner's jail time extension request' misleads online
Several social media posts have shared an article that claims a prisoner in an Australian jail requested to extend his sentence in response to harsh lockdowns in the country's largest city, Sydney. The article, however, originated from a satirical website.
25 August 2021
More here.
1096. Tennessee order does not allow forced relocation to Covid-19 camps
Online articles and social media posts claim an order by the governor of the US state of Tennessee allows National Guard troops to "kidnap" people and take them to Covid-19 "internment camps." This is false; the order allows National Guard members to assist medical workers in a health care system strained by rising case numbers, but makes no mention of abductions, and the governor's office has said the claim is inaccurate.
24 August 2021
More here.
1095. Vaccinated people are not 'creating' coronavirus variants
Social media posts claim Covid-19 vaccines lead to virus mutations and say vaccinated people are responsible for variants, citing the case of a different disease that affects chickens as evidence. But experts say the analogy is flawed, and that vaccines reduce rather than enhance the risks posed by Covid-19.
24 August 2021
More here.
1094. Ethiopian Facebook post falsely claims WHO chief barred from seeking fresh term
A post shared on Facebook in Ethiopia claims the BBC reported that World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been barred from running for re-election. But the claim is false: the BBC ran a story in August 2021 about a US non-profit group opposing Tedros seeking another term, but there is no record of reports about him being prohibited from doing so.
24 August 2021
More here.
1093. This video shows football fans in Iceland following Euro 2016
Multiple social media posts have shared a video they claim shows a protest in France against so-called vaccine passports. The claim is false: the footage actually shows football fans in Iceland celebrating their national team arriving home following the Euro 2016 tournament.
24 August 2021
More here.
1092. False reports claim John Cena died from Covid-19
Social media posts shared thousands of times claim that American wrestler and actor John Cena died on August 11, 2021 after being infected with Covid-19. The claim is false: Cena competed in WWE's Summer Slam 2021 on August 21. He has also been active on social media since the hoax reports circulated.
23 August 2021
More here.
1091. Canada mayor did not testify that Covid-19 is a 'hoax'
Social media posts claim Naheed Nenshi, the mayor of the city of Calgary in Canada, testified that Covid-19 is a hoax and suggested he was forced to impose measures to control the spread of the disease. But a spokesperson for the mayor's office said the transcript cited as evidence is fake, and Nenshi has been a vocal supporter of steps aimed at curbing the pandemic.
20 August 2021
More here.
1090. Vegetable soup remedy touted by Sri Lankan Facebook users cannot cure Covid-19
A recipe for vegetable soup has been shared by Sri Lankan Facebook users alongside a claim it will "cure" Covid-19 infection within three days. The claim is false: medical professionals said there is no evidence the purported remedy can cure Covid-19.
20 August 2021
More here.
1089. An image shows 2018 French protests against a tax on fuel, not Covid-19 restrictions
Three photos have been shared hundreds of times on Facebook in South Africa and Australia alongside a claim that they show Covid-19 related demonstrations in France and Greece. But the claim is misleading; while two of the images show Greeks protesting against their country’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, a third image, purportedly of a France anti-vaccination protest, was taken in 2018 during the “gilets jaunes” protests in France, before the pandemic.
18 August 2021
More here.
1088. US doctor spreads false information about Covid-19 mRNA vaccines
A video shared on Facebook in which an American doctor makes several claims about mRNA vaccines against Covid-19 has been viewed nearly 900 times in Ethiopia. But the doctor’s claims are false, experts told AFP Fact Check. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines that use mRNA technology are considered safe, and millions of doses have been administered.
18 August 2021
More here.
1087. Misleading posts claiming Sri Lanka 'ranked first' in global Covid-19 deaths circulate online
A claim has been shared in multiple Facebook posts that Sri Lanka "surpassed all other nations and ranked first" in Covid-19 death rates on August 8, 2021. But these posts are misleading: they show incomplete data from a database of global Covid-19 trends. The full database in fact shows at least 20 other countries had higher virus death rates on August 8.
17 August 2021
More here.
1086. Indonesian cemetery photo wrongly shared in posts about Sri Lankan coronavirus deaths
An image of a burial ground has been shared in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows a site for Covid-19 fatalities in Sri Lanka. The claim is false: the image actually shows a cemetery in Indonesia.
17 August 2021
More here.
1085. Indiana doctor spreads Covid-19 misinformation during school board meeting
A video has been shared across social media of Dr Daniel Stock, as he makes several false and misleading statements while giving testimony at a school board meeting in the US state of Indiana. He repeats previously debunked myths about Covid-19 vaccines, inaccurately claims that face masks are ineffective in slowing the spread of the virus, and touts unapproved treatments.
13 August 2021
More here.
1084. Dennis Rodman photo doctored to add anti-mask message
As US cities reinstate mask mandates to combat the highly-contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, Facebook users are sharing a photo of Dennis Rodman wearing a T-shirt with an anti-mask message. The image has been doctored; the original taken by an AFP photographer showed the former basketball star dressed in a shirt advertising a cryptocurrency.
13 August 2021
More here.
1083. Image of fake corpses from Thai protest used to mislead about Covid-19 deaths
An image appearing to a show a pile of "body bags" has been shared among multiple Facebook users in Sri Lanka with a claim it shows coronavirus fatalities. The claim is false; the image actually shows a pile of mock corpses staged by pro-democracy protesters in Thailand during a demonstration held in July 2021.
13 August 2021
More here.
1082. False posts about Covid-19 state of emergency in Sri Lankan hospital misuse photos from other countries
Facebook posts have circulated in Sri Lanka claiming a hospital in the capital Colombo "declared a state of emergency" in early August as Covid-19 infections surged. These posts also show several photos of exhausted health workers. The posts are false: the hospital denied it had declared a state of emergency as of August 12. The photos were previously shared online in posts that state they show health workers from other countries -- not Sri Lanka.
13 August 2021
More here.
1081. French police did not demonstrate against Covid-19 health pass
Social media posts are sharing a photo of police at a protest in France alongside the claim that officers sided with the demonstrators against vaccine "passports". This is false; police were there to secure the rally, not to take part in it, they and the photographer confirmed.
12 August 2021
More here.
1080. Texas school board testimony repeats false claims about Covid-19
In a video shared across social media, a man makes several false statements in testimony to a school board meeting in the US state of Texas, repeating previously debunked claims about Covid-19 tests, face masks, vaccine data and treatments.
12 August 2021
More here.
1079. False claim circulates online that Baduy community in Indonesia have never been vaccinated
Multiple social media posts have shared a claim that the Baduy indigenous community in Indonesia have never been vaccinated. This claim is false. The Baduy community have received various immunisations, from polio to diphtheria vaccines, and more recently Covid-19, according to local media reports and traditional leaders.
12 August 2021
More here.
1078. This video has been falsely subtitled to claim North Korea executed a Covid-19 patient
A video purporting to show a North Korean news anchor announcing the country had achieved all-out success in fighting Covid-19 by executing a patient has been viewed tens of thousands of times on social media posts. The video is likely satirical: the Chinese subtitles in the video do not match the anchor's actual speech. The news anchor is announcing the launch of a rocket, and the video has circulated online since at least December 2012.
12 August 2021
More here.
1077. Misleading posts share outdated Covid-19 vaccine advice from Pakistan's health ministry
Facebook and Twitter posts circulating in Pakistan purport to show health ministry guidelines listing groups of people who should not receive the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, including pregnant women. The posts are misleading: the guidance is out of date. The health ministry later changed its advice to recommend the jab for expectant mothers.
12 August 2021
More here.
1076. Coronavirus variants are not released as part of staged pandemic
A chart purporting to show a schedule of pre-planned coronavirus variants has been shared thousands of times on social media as proof of a baseless conspiracy theory that the pandemic was staged. But viruses mutate unpredictably, several of the variants have already been detected ahead of the supposed timetable, and the groups whose logos appear in the posts -- including the World Health Organization -- told AFP that the image is not genuine.
11 August 2021
More here.
1075. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain graphene
A video of a substance in a petri dish responding to an electrical current has been viewed hundreds of times in Instagram posts which claim the substance is graphene which makes up "90 percent" of Covid-19 vaccines. The claim is false; the clip shows an experiment using ball bearings and castor oil recreated by students at Stanford University. Graphene is not present in Covid-19 vaccines, experts said.
11 August 2021
More here.
1074. This video shows vaccination cards made by a Malaysian printing company and not sanctioned by the government
A video is circulating on Facebook and TikTok along with a claim that it shows Covid-19 vaccination cards that are "original certificates" for vaccinated people in Malaysia. The claim is misleading. A Malaysian printing company confirms that they took the video to promote their card-printing service. The agency in charge of the vaccine rollout in Malaysia says the government does not issue "physical vaccination certificates" for those who have completed their Covid-19 vaccinations.
11 August 2021
More here.
1073. Canadian court case unrelated to lifting of Covid-19 restrictions in Alberta
An interview with an Alberta man has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times online, via social media posts that claim his court case led to the lifting of public health measures designed to mitigate the pandemic. This is false; the case, a dispute about a fine for violating the provincial Public Health Act, was unsuccessful, and the government of Alberta says that the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions had nothing to do with it.
10 August 2021
More here.
1072. Popular Nigerian pastor falsely claims Covid-19 vaccines alter DNA
Popular Nigerian pastor Chris Oyakhilome has claimed that the Covid-19 vaccine is gene therapy that alters people’s DNA. This is false; experts say the vaccine does not alter DNA. Oyakhilome is known for spreading misinformation about Covid-19 to his followers in Nigeria and across the world.
10 August 2021
More here.
1071. Pfizer CEO is fully vaccinated against Covid-19
Social media posts shared thousands of times in August 2021 link to an Israeli newspaper article to claim that the head of Pfizer, which manufactures the most widely-used shot against Covid-19 in the US, is not fully vaccinated. But the article is dated before the pharmaceutical chief received his second jab, on March 10, 2021, and his company confirmed that he has received the full complement of shots.
10 August 2021
More here.
1070. Facebook posts share false claim that Singapore conducted the world's first Covid-19 autopsy
Facebook posts share a claim attributed to Singapore's Ministry of Health saying that the city-state conducted the first Covid-19 autopsy and discovered the disease is caused by a bacterium, not a virus. But the claims are false: the first Covid-19 autopsy was conducted in China in February 2020. Health authorities and medical experts all say Covid-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Singapore's Health Ministry have also said the claims are not true.
10 August 2021
More here.
1069. Anti-mask message falsely attributed to actor Tim Roth
A photo of English actor Tim Roth has been shared thousands of times on social media alongside a message criticizing the use of masks to curb the spread of Covid-19. But the actor's spokeswoman said the remark did not come from him, and he has publicly expressed support for masks.
5 August 2021
More here.
1068. Experts deny claims that taking painkillers after Covid-19 vaccine causes death
Multiple posts on Facebook and WhatsApp in Nigeria claim that taking anti-inflammatory medication diclofenac or having “any anaesthesia” within two years of a Covid-19 vaccine leads to death. This is false; while experts discourage the use of analgesics before taking the vaccine, this is because the effect on the jab’s ability to create an immune response is unclear. There is no evidence to show that painkillers taken after the Covid-19 vaccine cause death.
5 August 2021
More here.
1067. England data misrepresented in false claims linking deaths to Covid-19 shots
Online articles claim that English health data indicates vaccinated people are far more likely to die of Covid-19 than those who have not received the shots. This is false; Public Health England says the claims misrepresent its findings, experts described the calculations in the articles as flawed, and data shows that the vaccines work.
4 August 2021
More here.
1066. South African agency warns of fake notice for Covid-19 social relief grant
Social media users have been sharing a notice purportedly issued by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) outlining the application process for its Covid-19 social relief grant, which was recently reinstated. However, the post is a hoax; the agency distanced itself from the notice and cautioned individuals to not divulge personal information to unknown websites.
4 August 2021
More here.
1065. Testing by Canadian doctor does not prove Covid-19 shots cause clots
A Canadian physician claims in a video clip shared on social media that most people who receive widely-used Covid-19 vaccines will experience blood clots. But experts say his conclusion stems from an analysis that was not published in accordance with scientific method, was not peer-reviewed, and does not prove the shots are causing clots.
3 August 2021
More here.
1064. Flawed scientific papers fueling Covid-19 misinformation
Scientific studies with poor methodology and inaccurate findings are exacerbating a Covid-19 misinformation crisis that is discouraging vaccination and putting lives at risk.
30 July 2021
More here.
1063. US health agencies are not scrapping common coronavirus test
Social media posts claim American health authorities are revoking authorization for widely used coronavirus tests because they are inaccurate. This is false; one US agency said it made no such announcement and the tests are the "gold standard" for Covid-19 diagnosis, while another said a requested change in authorization cited in some posts was not due to poor performance.
29 July 2021
More here.
1062. Posts misrepresent European data on Covid-19 vaccines deaths
Social media posts share a video of a Swiss-based researcher who claims that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has "linked" Covid-19 vaccines to 18,000 deaths. This is false; a report of a fatality following vaccination in the EMA's database is not proof of a tie between the two,and though serious side effects following vaccination have been recorded, they remain rare, according to the health agency.
29 July 2021
More here.
1061. Anti-vaxxers misrepresent article on Covid deaths in jabbed patients
As a wave of anti-vaccine messages swept across social media, Facebook posts shared a report that most Covid-19 patients who die in England have been vaccinated. They used the report to suggest the Covid-19 shots were unsafe. The posts are misleading: the article actually explained that the trend was "expected", as high numbers of older people -- who have a greater chance of dying from the disease -- have been vaccinated in the UK.
29 July 2021
More here.
1060. Chinese official shares TIME magazine cover in misleading tweet about 'pandemic origins'
As tensions rose between the United States and China over the origins of the pandemic, Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman tweeted a TIME magazine cover story she claimed illustrated that Washington was "the origin of the epidemic". The claim is misleading: the magazine story actually focused on a Covid-19 cluster at the White House in October 2020. The first major outbreak of Covid-19 was recorded in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December 2019.
29 July 2021
More here.
1059. Gas sterilization of Covid-19 swabs is safe
A Tik Tok video claims that Covid-19 swabs sterilized with ethylene oxide gas are killing people. However, US and Australian public health agencies say the chemical is safely used to sterilize a range of medical products, the CDC says the test kits are not dangerous, and a professor said there is no basis for claims that the tests can lead to cancer.
28 July 2021
More here.
1058. Facebook posts mislead after UK chief scientific adviser's comments on virus hospitalisations
Multiple Facebook posts claim the UK's chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said all vaccines are 'useless' because '60 percent of UK hospital Covid-19 admissions have received two doses of the vaccine'. The claim is misleading: the posts cited a report in which Vallance did not say vaccines were 'useless'. On July 20, 2021, Vallance clarified that 60 percent of recent Covid-19 patients in UK hospitals were unvaccinated.
28 July 2021
More here.
1057. Thai social media users share misleading claim about 'Covid-19 throat spray'
As Thailand's healthcare system struggled to cope with surging Covid-19 cases in July, multiple Facebook posts claimed a brand of throat spray could "contain the infection". The posts are misleading: health experts say the throat spray has not been proven to treat or cure Covid-19. The posts also shared false claims about other home remedies that experts say do not treat or cure the virus.
27 July 2021
More here.
1056. Facebook users share fake 'lockdown extension' notice for Australian state
An image shared repeatedly on Facebook purports to show an official notice from Australia's New South Wales Ministry of Health announcing that a lockdown in greater Sydney will be extended until December 2021. The image, however, has been doctored from a July 14 announcement extending the lockdown to July 30, 2021.
27 July 2021
More here.
1055. Doctored collage falsely claims union leader slammed Sri Lanka's government for buying Covid-19 vaccines
A photo collage has been shared in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows a news report where a union leader purportedly criticised the government for procuring Covid-19 vaccines instead of paying teachers' salaries. But the claim is false: the photos in the collage have been doctored to add fabricated remarks into an original report that aired before the wide availability of Covid-19 vaccines in the country.
27 July 2021
More here.
1054. Bangladesh religious procession image shared in false posts about Indian political rally
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple social media posts that claim it shows a large rally for an Indian Muslim politician during the pandemic. The claim is false: the photo shows an Islamic procession in Bangladesh in 2019.
27 July 2021
More here.
1053. Malaysian authorities rubbish posts linking 'Covid-19 vaccine death' to eating durian
Facebook users in Malaysia are sharing posts that warn against eating durian before or after receiving a Covid-19 jab because it can be "fatal". Some of the posts share a photo of a man who purportedly died a day after he was vaccinated because he ate the fruit. The claim is false. The Malaysian deputy health minister said the warning has no medical basis, while police told AFP a post-mortem examination found the man died from heart disease.
27 July 2021
More here.
1052. This video has been edited -- US charity says it will continue to grant 'wishes' to unvaccinated children
Multiple social media posts shared in June 2021 claim a US charity that grants "wishes" to critically ill children will no longer reward them if they are unvaccinated against Covid-19. The claim is misleading: the posts shared an edited video from the charity's CEO in which he outlined vaccination requirements for rewards that involve air travel and large gatherings. The charity told AFP that its Covid-19 vaccine policy will not apply to children who have received an end-of-life prognosis.
27 July 2021
More here.
1051. Posts mislead on proportion of vaccinated Covid-19 victims in Australian state's hospitals
Multiple social media posts shared in July 2021 claim that all Covid-19 patients being treated in hospitals in the Australian state of New South Wales had been vaccinated. The claim is misleading: as of July 26, all of the hospitalised Covid-19 patients were unvaccinated except for one, the state's health authority told AFP.
27 July 2021
More here.
1050. French president's security detail did not resign over Covid-19 bill
A French member of parliament and an American radio host claimed that Emmanuel Macron's entire security detail resigned to protest the French president's initiative imposing health passes to participate in many aspects of public life. This is false; the Republican Guard did not resign, and it is tasked with presidential palace security, not his direct physical safety.
26 July 2021
More here.
1049. mRNA Covid-19 vaccines do not contain cells from aborted human foetuses
A video shared hundreds of times on Facebook in South Africa and Zambia claims that mRNA Covid-19 vaccines contain cells taken from aborted human foetuses. The claim is false: the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa told AFP Fact Check that Covid-19 vaccines do not contain cells from aborted foetuses or other human tissue.
26 July 2021
More here.
1048. Joe Biden exaggerated Covid-19 vaccine efficacy
US President Joe Biden claimed during a CNN town hall that vaccinated people will not get Covid-19. This is false; despite the high efficacy of the shots, infections still occur among the fully vaccinated population, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says.
23 July 2021
More here.
1047. Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine does not contain dangerous ingredient
A video featuring a US pundit who claims the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is dangerous because it contains the nanoparticle graphene oxide has been watched more than a million times on social media. But the claims are based on a study whose methodology experts have questioned, Pfizer said the substance is not used in the manufacturing of its shot, and researchers told AFP there is no evidence graphene oxide is used in any vaccines currently on the market.
23 July 2021
More here.
1046. This video shows protesters rallying against a deal to rename Macedonia in 2019
As thousands took to the streets in Greece to protest new coronavirus measures, social media posts shared what they claimed to be footage of the demonstration. However, the claim is false; the video shows a protest in Athens in January 2019 against a controversial agreement to rename Macedonia.
23 July 2021
More here.
1045. This video shows an anti-government protest in Colombia -- not virus victims in Indonesia
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows Covid-19 victims wrapped in plastic bags in Indonesia. The claim is false: the clip actually shows an anti-government protest in Colombia in May 2021.
23 July 2021
More here.
1044. False claim circulates in Indonesia that 'no Covid-19 victims died outside hospitals'
Multiple Facebook posts circulating in Indonesia claim that nobody has died from Covid-19 outside of the Southeast Asian nation's hospitals. The posts misleadingly question whether the disease is deadly whilst implying Indonesian hospitals are responsible for its virus deaths. The claims are false: thousands of Covid-19 victims in Indonesia have died outside hospitals, according to data recorded by a volunteer group. AFP and other media have reported people died of Covid-19 while self-isolating at home and elsewhere after hospitals became overwhelmed with patients.
23 July 2021
More here.
1043. Vaccinated people do not face greatest risk from coronavirus Delta variant
A Facebook video cites Harvard research to claim that people vaccinated against Covid-19 are at greatest risk from the coronavirus Delta variant that causes the disease. However, a Harvard professor confirmed that the video misrepresents his analysis, and health authorities and studies suggest the best protection from the virus is through vaccination.
22 July 2021
More here.
1042. Indonesian Facebook users share misleading claim about Turkey's mosque closures during pandemic
An image of Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim that he announced no mosque in Turkey would be closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The claim circulated online in Indonesia after the country imposed social restrictions in early July 2021. The claim is misleading: Turkey previously ordered all mosques to close in March 2020 in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19. As of July 22, 2021, AFP found no evidence that Erdogan announced he would not close Turkey's mosques in 2020 or 2021.
22 July 2021
More here.
1041. Facebook users in Sri Lanka misrepresent image of Covid-19 victims in Myanma
An image of several bodies on a hospital floor has circulated in Facebook posts that claim it shows the aftermath of a protest staged by nurses in Sri Lanka in July 2021. But this claim is false: the photo is unrelated to the protest in Sri Lanka; it has in fact circulated in reports about Covid-19 fatalities in a town in Myanmar.
22 July 2021
More here.
1040. Available vaccines do not contain graphene oxide, experts say
Multiple Facebook posts have repeatedly shared a claim that all commercially available vaccines purportedly contain a cancer-causing substance called graphene oxide. But these posts are misleading: experts separately told AFP that graphene oxide is not used in commercially available vaccines. The most commonly used vaccines go through rigorous testing and have been safely used for decades, according to the World Health Organization.
21 July 2021
More here.
1039. Ivermectin has not been approved as a Covid-19 treatment in South Africa
A screenshot of a tweet stating that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved ivermectin for use to treat Covid-19 patients has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. But the claim is false: SAHPRA has not approved ivermectin as a Covid-19 treatment and only permits its use as a topical cream to treat skin inflammation among adults. Furthermore, a doctor must apply to use ivermectin to treat skin conditions in humans.
21 July 2021
More here.
1038. Biden did not announce 'quarantine camps' for unvaccinated Americans
Instagram posts claim US President Joe Biden announced that unvaccinated Americans will be sent to "quarantine camps" if they do not receive Covid-19 shots by 2022. But the claim originates from a satirical site, and the White House website makes no mention of such a plan.
21 July 2021
More here.
1037. Canada does not bar pilots vaccinated against Covid-19 from flying
Online articles claim pilots vaccinated against Covid-19 are barred from flying in Canada because they are part of a medical trial. This is false; Transport Canada said that aviators who have received the shots are still permitted to fly.
21 July 2021
More here.
1036. Filipino social media users share false vaccination video
A video circulating online shows a Filpino church leader making claims about Covid-19 vaccines, including that they can only be injected into a person's right arm in order to stabilise harmful "nanotechnology". The clip -- viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and TikTok posts -- promotes false claims, according to experts. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain harmful nanotechnology and can be administered in either arm.
21 July 2021
More here.
1035. This video has circulated in reports about a gas leak in a Malaysian factory in 2019
Footage of panicked factory workers running has been viewed thousands of times in Facebook, Instagram and YouTube posts that claim it shows employees at Malaysia's Top Glove — the world's largest glove manufacturer — fleeing a police raid after being banned from operating under Covid-19 lockdown rules. But the claim is false. The video has circulated online since 2019, months before Malaysia reported its first Covid-19 cases. It actually shows workers at a chicken processing factory running away from an ammonia gas leak.
20 July 2021
More here.
1034. This photo shows an anti-government protest in Paris in 2018 -- it is not related to the pandemic
A photo has circulated on social media since July 2021 alongside a claim it shows a protest in France against Covid-19 vaccinations. The claim is false: the photo has circulated in reports since November 2018 about anti-government protests in the French capital Paris.
20 July 2021
More here.
1033. US Supreme Court ruling did not allow patenting of vaccinated people
Social media posts claim a 2013 US Supreme Court ruling means that people vaccinated against Covid-19 are no longer legally human and are therefore patentable. This is false; the decision makes no mention of vaccines, and experts say the court ruled that nothing naturally occurring -- including humans -- can be patented.
20 July 2021
More here.
1032. Photo shows French football celebration, not vaccine protest
Facebook posts claim that a photo showing a crowd hundreds of thousands strong was taken during a protest against mandatory vaccination in Paris. But the photo depicts people celebrating France's 2018 World Cup win, not the demonstration in Paris on July 17, 2021.
20 July 2021
More here.
1031. Posts mislead on vaccine side effects recorded in Australia
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a graphic purportedly issued by an Australian government-funded organisation that monitors Covid-19 vaccination side effects. Figures in the graphic purportedly show vaccines are not safe. But these posts are misleading: the graphic was not issued by the organisation. The actual figures for reported vaccination side effects were generally mild or in fact unrelated to Covid-19 vaccination. The Covid-19 vaccines being administered in Australia have been approved by international and national health authorities.
19 July 2021
More here.
1030. Posts mislead on protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines
Social media posts downplay the protection provided by Covid-19 vaccines, saying survival rates are the same whether people receive the shots or not. This is misleading; health authorities say that more than 99 percent of people who have recently died of Covid-19 in the United States have not been vaccinated against the disease.
19 July 2021
More here.
1029. This photo was taken in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 2019
As Myanmar battled a shortage of medical oxygen during a third wave of Covid-19 infections, a photo of a baby on a motorbike with an oxygen cylinder circulated in social media posts that claimed it shows a scene in Myanmar. The image, however, has been shared in a misleading context: it actually shows a scene in Thailand in 2019. The child in the picture was suffering from a respiratory illness, not Covid-19, local media reported at the time.
19 July 2021
More here.
1028. BJP politicians share misleading posts critical of Delhi chief minister
Politicians from India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have shared photos they claim show various crises under the rule of Delhi's chief minister and opposition politician Arvind Kejriwal. The claim is misleading: most of the images were taken before Arvind was elected as Delhi's chief minister, or do not show events in Delhi.
18 July 2021
More here.
1027. Canada's Covid-19 measures still in effect
Social media posts claim that courts in Canada have "revoked" Covid-19 emergency orders, and that mask mandates and other public health measures are unlawful. This is misleading; one order in the country's largest province, Ontario, was revoked on June 9, 2021, but the courts had nothing to do with it, and the province still has regulations which try to limit the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
16 July 2021
More here.
1026. US study used to falsely link Covid-19 shots, miscarriages
Social media posts claim a study by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientists determined that those vaccinated against Covid-19 early in pregnancy suffered miscarriages at a rate of 82 percent. But the report found no signs of vaccine safety problems in pregnant people, and experts called the posts "inaccurate" and "dangerous."
16 July 2021
More here.
1025. Covid-19 vaccines protect both individuals and society from deadly disease
Facebook posts dismiss the personal benefit of receiving a Covid-19 vaccine, saying it is aimed at protecting those who have already received their shots. But experts say unvaccinated people are at the highest risk of contracting and dying from Covid-19, and immunization campaigns seek to protect these individuals as well as society as a whole.
15 July 2021
More here.
1024. Inhaling clove vapour cannot cure Covid-19, medical experts say
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, with a claim that inhaling clove vapour can treat Covid-19. The claim is false. There is no scientific evidence that inhaling clove vapour can cure Covid-19, medical experts told AFP.
14 July 2021
More here.
1023. Hoax posts about microchips in Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine misuse unrelated video
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple social media posts that claim it shows microchips purportedly found in the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. But this claim is false: the video shows research-level microrobots that are impossible to add onto vaccines.
14 July 2021
More here.
1022. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain DNA-altering robots
Social media posts claim that Covid-19 vaccines contain robotic "nanotechnology" that can change people's DNA. While they do include tiny fat bubbles to protect mRNA molecules -- an essential component of the shots -- they do not feature miniature robots, and experts say Covid-19 jabs cannot alter a person's genetic makeup.
14 July 2021
More here.
1021. Homemade device does not produce enough oxygen for Covid-19 patients, experts say
A video that shows how to make an oxygen device from aquarium air pumps has been viewed thousands of times on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook along with a claim that it can be used for Covid-19 patients self-isolating at home. However, this claim is false. Experts say that the homemade device does not produce sufficient oxygen for Covid-19 patients with breathing difficulties.
14 July 2021
More here.
1020. Flawed study misrepresents Covid-19 vaccination fatality rate
A peer-reviewed study that spread on social media claims Covid-19 shots are dangerous and governments should rethink their vaccination campaigns. But the scientific paper used a flawed methodology and has been retracted by the journal.
13 July 2021
More here.
1019. YouTube video spreads misinformation about Ugandan leader’s “death”
A video claiming that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni died after being admitted to a Kenyan hospital has been viewed thousands of times and shared in multiple Facebook posts. The claim is false; Museveni has made several public appearances since the rumours surfaced online and dismissed the rumours on camera.
9 July 2021
More here.
1018. Posts falsely claim Sri Lanka becomes the first South Asian country to receive Pfizer vaccines
After Sri Lanka received its first batch of Pfizer vaccines, multiple posts shared among Sri Lankan Facebook users claim Sri Lanka was the first South Asian nation to receive the American-made Covid-19 jabs. The claim, however, is misleading: both the Maldives and Bhutan in South Asia received Pfizer vaccines through a global vaccine sharing facility before Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was the first country in South Asia to purchase a contingent of Pfizer vaccines.
8 July 2021
More here.
1017. Video makes false claims on Covid-19 vaccines and ‘magnetofection’
Social media posts share a video of a US pundit claiming that Covid-19 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines can cause people to develop a "magnetic force" due to a process called magnetofection. This is false; experts say the process is not used in the shots, which do not have magnetic components listed in their ingredients, and the web page about magnetofection used as a proof comes from a German company that says its their work has nothing to do with Covid-19 vaccines.
7 July 2021
More here.
1016. Posts mislead on 'first vaccine-related death in India'
Multiple Twitter and Facebook posts claim that a male doctor they name as the spokesman for the Indian health ministry died on June 16, 2021 after receiving a Covid-19 vaccination. The claim is false: as of July 12, 2021, the man -- Dr Subramanian Swaminathan -- is not dead. He is the director of infectious diseases at an Indian hospital, not the spokesman for the Indian health ministry. The video shared in the posts shows him talking about India's first suspected vaccine-related death.
7 July 2021
More here.
1015. Posts mislead that different vaccines were offered to Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia
A photo of a Malaysian newspaper article has been shared widely on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that a Malaysian minister said Muslims and non-Muslims would be given different brands of Covid-19 vaccines. The claim is misleading: the Malaysian newspaper issued a correction after it published an erroneous paragraph about Malaysia's Covid-19 vaccine rollout. The Malaysian minister has denied claims that Muslims and non-Muslims have been offered different brands of Covid-19 vaccine.
6 July 2021
More here.
1014. False posts target World Economic Forum founder with hoax Covid-19 conspiracy
An image has been shared repeatedly in social media posts that claim it shows a book passage where World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab purportedly wrote billions will die from 'organized epidemics'. The claim is false: the image has been taken from a book that touts a global conspiracy theory -- not Schwab's book about plans to revive the global economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.
6 July 2021
More here.
1013. Lab analysis of ‘dangerous pathogens’ on children’s masks lack scientific credibility, experts say
Posts purporting to show alarming laboratory results from tests carried out on children’s masks have been shared more than 1,300 times on Facebook by anti-lockdown groups who claim the findings are scientific evidence that masks cause harm. But experts have dismissed the reports that appeared on social media as incomplete and lacking scientific rigour, pointing out that many of the “dangerous pathogens” on the masks are commonly found on human skin.
6 July 2021
More here.
1012. The Covid-19 test kits are not for use with water, manufacturer says
A video has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter along with a claim that it shows tap water tested positive for Covid-19. The claim is false. The manufacturer of the test kit clarifies that the test device is “not for use with water or any other foods or liquids”.
6 July 2021
More here.
1011. False posts claim Sri Lankan regulators approved traditional medicine as Covid-19 cure
A claim has been shared in multiple social media posts that Sri Lankan regulators have purportedly approved a brand of traditional medication as treatment for Covid-19. But this claim is false: an official told AFP no traditional medication has been approved as treatment for Covid-19 as of July 7, 2021; and warned against using unproven remedies for the disease.
5 July 2021
More here.
1010. There is no evidence that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been admitted to the hospital
Posts claiming Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was airlifted to Germany after suddenly collapsing have been viewed thousands of times online. The rumour, which surfaced on June 27, 2021, is false. On the same day, Museveni delivered a speech during the opening of the World Health Summit at Uganda's Makerere University, which was broadcast live. AFP Fact Check has seen a recording of the address. In addition, the Ugandan leader also attended a virtual UN summit of African heads of state on July 1, 2021.
5 July 2021
More here.
1009. False claim circulates that Thailand tops global data for new Covid-19 cases on June 28
As Thailand grappled with its worst-ever Covid-19 wave, Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times claimed that the kingdom ranked highest in the world for new coronavirus cases on June 28, 2021. The claim is false; at least three other countries, including Brazil, India, and the United States had more new Covid-19 cases than Thailand on that day, according to the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
4 July 2021
More here.
1008. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain tracking devices
Social media posts claim Covid-19 vaccines could contain trackers, citing a video showing a positive reading when a device designed to detect pet chips is held over the arm of a vaccinated woman. This is false; the person who posted the video subsequently described it as a joke, and US health authorities say the vaccines do not contain trackers.
2 July 2021
More here.
1007. Posts make misleading comparison of virus restrictions in Sri Lanka and Hungary
Multiple Facebook posts shared repeatedly in June 2021 have compared the pandemic restrictions in Sri Lanka with Hungary. The posts, which shared an image of Hungarian football fans attending a Euro 2020 match in Budapest, criticised Sri Lanka's strict lockdown. The posts are misleading: as of June 28, 2021, almost half of Hungary's population had received a Covid-19 vaccine, compared to less than five percent of people in Sri Lanka.
2 July 2021
More here.
1006. Misleading posts distort health minister's remarks about Covid-19 deaths in Australia
A video has been shared in multiple social media posts that claim Australia's Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced in June 2021 no one infected with Covid-19 has died. The posts are misleading: the video shows Hunt commenting on Covid-19 deaths in Australia between January and July 2021.
2 July 2021
More here.
1005. Posts falsely claim leading French economist Jacques Attali discusses depopulation in a book
A post on Instagram claims that French economist Jacques Attali discussed depopulating the planet by orchestrating a pandemic in his book “The Future of Life” published in 1981. This is false: while Attali was interviewed in a book called "Future Life" (first published in French as "L'Avenir de La Vie" in 1981), he did not write it, and he does not mention depopulation in his interview.
30 June 2021
More here.
1004. Online posts falsely claim Covid-19 shots damage blood cells
Social media posts featuring four microscope slides supposedly showing blood cells before and after Covid-19 vaccination claim that immunization permanently alters human blood. This is false; experts told AFP that the images show incorrectly prepared red blood cell samples unrelated to Covid-19 inoculation, and said that the posts are unscientific.
29 June 2021
More here.
1003. Facebook posts falsely claim video shows empty casket intended for Ugandan Covid-19 victim
A video viewed thousands of times has been shared on Facebook with the claim that it shows Ugandan officials putting an empty coffin, intended for a Covid-19 victim, into the ground. The claim is false; part of the corpse’s head can be seen at one point in the blurry recording, while the dead man’s daughter confirmed to AFP Fact Check that her father’s body was in the coffin when he was buried.
29 June 2021
More here.
1002. Airlines have not advised Covid-19 vaccinated travellers against flying
A video shared on Facebook and Instagram shows Sky News host Cory Bernardi claiming airlines have warned people who have been vaccinated for Covid-19 not to travel due to an increased risk of blood clots. The claim is false: international airline associations said they had not issued the purported advice. Health experts say rare blood clots linked to Covid-19 vaccines are different to clots linked to air travel.
27 June 2021
More here.
1001. Moderna had not developed a Covid-19 vaccine in 2019
Online articles and social media posts claim that Moderna developed a Covid-19 vaccine prior to the pandemic. This is false; the “secret documents” touted as proof are an agreement between a university in North Carolina, a US government research group, and the pharmaceutical company for vaccine research related to a different virus within the larger family of coronaviruses.
25 June 2021
More here.
1000. Malaysia gets additional hajj quota only after the pandemic situation ‘fully recovers’
A screenshot of a news report that Saudi Arabia has given Malaysia additional hajj quota has been shared multiple times by Indonesian social media users on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter alongside a claim that Malaysia can perform the hajj pilgrimage during the pandemic while Indonesia has cancelled the hajj. The claim is misleading: the additional quota for Malaysia will only be implemented when the Covid-19 pandemic is under control, the Malaysian prime minister said. This year, Saudi Arabia only allows a scaled down hajj for fully vaccinated residents of the kingdom.
25 June 2021
More here.
999. False posts circulate in Thailand about the use of anaesthesia after Covid-19 vaccination
As Thailand races to boost its coronavirus vaccine roll-out to curb a surge in infections, Facebook posts warned against the use of anaesthesia after receiving the jab, claiming it could “cause death”. The posts also claim such warning "also exists on the Covid-19 vaccine boxes". However, the claims are false; health experts say anaesthesia can be used both before and after the jab, while AstraZeneca and Sinovac said there was no such warning on their vaccine packages.
24 June 2021
More here.
998. Posts mislead on Covid-19 testing in South Korea
Multiple Facebook posts claim that Covid-19 testing in South Korea does not follow “normal” standards. The posts suggest the testing has inflated the number of people diagnosed with the disease. The posts are misleading, according to a health expert, who said they had misinterpreted the measurements used in the tests. South Korea generally uses RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) tests, which the World Health Organization (WHO) says are the “gold standard” for detecting Covid-19.
24 June 2021
More here.
997. Posts mislead on why some people experience Covid-19 vaccine side effects
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook claim that people who do not experience side effects after receiving a Covid-19 jab are “unhealthy”. The claim is misleading: a person's reaction to receiving the vaccine does not necessarily reflect how healthy they are, a health expert told AFP. The World Health Organization (WHO) says experiencing no side effects does not mean the vaccine is "ineffective" and everyone "responds differently" to the vaccine.
23 June 2021
More here.
996. Authorities reject rumours that Sri Lankan influencer Piumi Hansamali did not complete two-week quarantine
Multiple Facebook posts shared a video clip featuring a Sri Lankan social media influencer who was forced to quarantine after breaking Covid-19 restrictions. The video claims lifestyle and beauty vlogger Piumi Hansamali broke her mandatory two-week quarantine and went home. The claim is misleading: authorities told AFP she completed the quarantine; the video clip is from an Instagram Live broadcast at least four years ago.
23 June 2021
More here.
995. Immunologist’s misinterpretation of data fuels misleading Covid-19 vaccine claims
Social media users are sharing a radio interview in which a Canadian immunologist claims that widely used Covid-19 vaccines are dangerous. But a pharmaceutical company document and Harvard study presented by the professor as evidence have been misinterpreted, and experts said the jabs are working safely and effectively as intended.
22 June 2021
More here.
994. Pakistan health minister’s comments on vaccination misrepresented in edited video
A video has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that purport to show Pakistan health minister saying she will not get vaccinated for Covid-19 because of the possible side effects. The claim is false: the video has been edited to misrepresent her comments at a press conference. In the original footage, she described the jab’s possible side effects and outlined which groups would receive it first.
22 June 2021
More here.
993. False claim that coconut water concoction can 'cure Covid-19' circulates online
Multiple posts shared on Facebook claim that a concoction of coconut water; salt; honey and lime juice, can cure Covid-19 infection. The claim is false: the recipe has not been proven as a remedy for Covid-19, medical experts told AFP.
21 June 2021
More here.
992. Viral video falsely claims pandemic is staged
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in Facebook and Twitter posts claiming they are evidence that the pandemic is a hoax. The claim is false. The video features various short clips which have been taken out of context, and actually show events such as protests, music videos and news reports.
21 June 2021
More here.
991. Video makes misleading vaccine claim about US health company's biosensor
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook that claims a biosensor made by US digital health company Profusa is set to be injected into people through Covid-19 vaccines. The claim is misleading: Profusa and the UK health products regulator both separately told AFP the biosensor was being developed for a UK-based study and would not be used in Covid-19 vaccines.
21 June 2021
More here.
990. Bangladeshi broadcaster airs hoax report about ‘magnetic’ effect of vaccination in India
A Bangladeshi broadcaster has aired a report about Indians who allegedly became “magnetic” after receiving a coronavirus vaccine. The report was quickly picked up by various news outlets and social media users who shared the video of men sticking coins and metal pliers to themselves. The claim is misleading: the broadcaster told AFP it has removed its original video as it contained inaccurate reporting. Experts have rubbished the claim that Covid-19 vaccines can make the human body magnetic.
20 June 2021
More here.
989. Posts tout unproven remedies for Covid-19 vaccination side effects
Facebook posts have shared a list of purported remedies for the side effects of Covid-19 vaccination. The posts are misleading: health experts say some of the purported remedies have not been proven to be effective.
20 June 2021
More here.
988. Coronavirus was not staged by philanthropists to control people
A German lawyer claims in a video interview with Steve Bannon that the coronavirus pandemic was planned by global elites including the Rockefeller Foundation as part of an elaborate scheme to exert control of citizens. To do this, governments used PCR tests to justify lockdowns and other measures, the lawyer alleges. This is false; while the Rockefeller Foundation and other experts did study pandemic scenarios, they in no way fabricated a deadly outbreak, and health authorities say PCR tests are reliable.
17 June 2021
More here.
987. Posts falsely claim Covid-19 vaccines contain electronic devices that can activate light bulbs
Multiple Facebook posts claim Covid-19 vaccines contain electronic devices that can turn on light bulbs. The claim is false, according to health experts. The misleading posts included a screenshot of a video that shows a light bulb trick.
17 June 2021
More here.
986. Social media posts share misleading claim that traditional herb prevents Covid-19
Multiple social media posts in Thailand have shared a claim that Kratom, a tree leaf used to treat various ailments, prevents Covid-19. The posts are misleading: health experts say there is no scientific evidence that Kratom leaves can be used to prevent or cure Covid-19. They also warn against unregulated use of the plant as it contains addictive substances.
17 June 2021
More here.
985. Video offers false medical advice on Covid-19 treatment, vaccines
In a video shared across social media, a woman claiming to be a doctor touts hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19, despite multiple studies finding it is not effective, and repeats previously debunked myths about the mRNA vaccines granted emergency authorization for use in the United States.
16 June 2021
More here.
984. EFF party leader did not file lawsuit to shut South Africa’s schools amid Covid-19 surge
A post shared hundreds of times on Facebook in South Africa claims that schools in the country will be closed after politician Julius Malema won a court case forcing the government to shutter classrooms due to a surge in Covid-19 infections. But this is false: the South African education department refuted the claim that schools have been ordered shut, and a spokeswoman for Malema’s party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), said that neither he nor his party had filed any such lawsuit.
16 June 2021
More here.
983. Indian newspaper did not run dating advert for ‘vaccinated’ groom-to-be
An image purporting to show an advert in an Indian newspaper from a "vaccinated" woman seeking a "vaccinated" man to marry has been widely shared on social media, attracting thousands of reactions on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The purported ad, however, is fake. It was created using an online tool.
16 June 2021
More here.
982. Footballer Christian Eriksen did not collapse because of a Covid-19 vaccine
Social media posts shared around the world claim that Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed mid-match due to a Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is false: the director of Eriksen’s club Inter Milan and the Danish Football Association said the player has not been vaccinated. The cause of his collapse is not known, as of June 16, 2021.
16 June 2021
More here.
981. Online posts mislead on birth control pills and Covid-19 vaccination
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook warn women to avoid taking birth control pills two weeks before and two weeks after their Covid-19 vaccination. The posts claim that failure to do so will result in blood clots and death. The posts are misleading: health experts say there is no credible scientific evidence that birth control pills pose risks when taken alongside Covid-19 vaccines.
16 June 2021
More here.
980. This video has circulated since 2020 in reports about medical workers returning to Guangxi
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple social media posts that claim it shows medical aid arriving in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong in May 2021 after it faced a new Covid-19 outbreak. The claim is false: the clip has circulated online since March 2020 in reports about medical workers returning to the neighbouring region of Guangxi from the city of Wuhan.
16 June 2021
More here.
979. Anti-vaxxer's testimony to lawmakers recites Covid-19 misinformation
Prominent anti-vaccine advocate Dr Sherri Tenpenny, appeared before the Ohio legislature on June 8, 2021 testifying in support of a state bill prohibiting vaccination requirements. During her statement she made several inaccurate claims and shared conspiracy theories that have been disproven by medical professionals.
15 June 2021
More here.
978. Online posts mislead on Covid-19 vaccinations in Europe
Multiple Instagram and Facebook posts have shared a purported graphic of Covid-19 “vaccine deaths and injuries” which they claim shows data from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The claim is misleading: an EMA spokesperson told AFP it had not issued the graphic in the posts. Actual data released by the agency in fact show adverse events reported after Covid-19 vaccination that are “not necessarily related to or caused by” vaccines.
15 June 2021
More here.
977. False ‘magnetic’ claims circulate online about AstraZeneca vaccine
Multiple social media posts have shared claims that electronic devices “recognise” people who have received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The posts go on to claim that anyone who receives the vaccine will become “magnetic”; will have their DNA altered and will die from blood clots. The claims are false, according to health experts.
14 June 2021
More here.
976. Australian government document misrepresented in posts about Covid-19 vaccines
An Australian government document about Covid-19 vaccines that includes the word "poison" has been shared multiple times on Instagram and Facebook. The posts claim the document shows coronavirus jabs are dangerous. This is misleading: experts told AFP “poison” is a generic term used in Australian law to refer to all pharmaceutical substances and is not synonymous with "dangerous". The Covid-19 vaccines administered in Australia -- AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech -- have been certified safe by Australia's medicine regulator and the World Health Organization (WHO).
14 June 2021
More here.
975. In another video, US doctor spreads Covid-19 vaccine misinformation
Sherri Tenpenny, an American physician named among the biggest “profiteers” from anti-vaccination misinformation, appears on a YouTube channel sharing misleading claims about coronavirus shots. In a video viewed almost 100,000 times, she said they cause deaths, “transmit” side effects to the unvaccinated, and cause infertility risks. All of these claims are scientifically inaccurate, multiple experts have stated.
11 June 2021
More here.
974. Inaccurate posts target Toronto Covid-19 vaccine clinic
Social media posts claim that a Covid-19 clinic in Toronto lured children to accept a vaccination without parental consent by offering ice cream while police ensured guardians remained outside. But the video used as evidence shows anti-vaccination protesters confronting officers at the clinic, and the event organizer said that despite a local law allowing youths to agree to vaccination, parents were present throughout.
10 June 2021
More here.
973. Image shows supporters in Nairobi welcoming back Kenya opposition leader in 2017
An image published dozens of times on Facebook in Kenya has been shared with a claim that it shows President Uhuru Kenyatta and a crowd of supporters in Kisumu city on May 31, 2021, during an official tour of the region. However, the claim is false: the image shows opposition leader Raila Odinga’s supporters welcoming him back to the country in 2017 after he visited the United States.
10 June 2021
More here.
972. Misleading posts spread online claiming Sri Lankan politician hosted cricket match during Covid-19 lockdown
Multiple images have circulated in Facebook and Twitter posts that claim they show a cricket match hosted by a Sri Lankan politician in June 2021 as the island nation was under Covid-19 lockdown. But these posts are misleading: the images show a cricket match that was held in March 2021, months before Sri Lanka imposed mobility restrictions to curb rising Covid-19 infections.
10 June 2021
More here.
971. Misleading posts claim brothels but not gyms allowed to reopen in Melbourne
Multiple social media posts have shared a claim that brothels will reopen but gyms will remain closed in Melbourne as Australia’s Victoria state eases Covid-19 restrictions starting the night of June 10, 2021. But the claim is misleading: both venues will remain closed in Melbourne while Covid-19 restrictions are eased for the rest of Victoria.
10 June 2021
More here.
970. False ‘reasons’ to refuse Covid-19 vaccines circulate online
As South Korea races to speed up its Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, posts emerged on social media sharing a list of “reasons” not to get the jab. The claims are false: AFP has previously debunked all purported reasons cited in the misleading posts, including claims that coronavirus vaccines have not been tested on animals or that their ingredients have not been published by pharmaceutical companies.
10 June 2021
More here.
969. These images were shot during Hindu festivals that predate the Covid-19 pandemic
Images of Hindu idols have been shared in Facebook posts that claim the statues were destroyed after the gods failed to protect India from Covid-19. This claim is false: the images predate the Covid-19 pandemic; they have previously circulated in online posts about unrelated Hindu festivals.
9 June 2021
More here.
968. Video of crowds rushing for vaccine shows wrong Chinese city
A video of crowds packed along a street has been viewed tens of thousands of times in Twitter posts claiming it shows people rushing to receive Covid-19 jabs in the southern Chinese city of Yulin. The video has been shared in a misleading context: it was actually filmed in China’s Chengdu city.
7 June 2021
More here.
967. Face mask requirements aim to protect unvaccinated people
Social media posts claim that remaining US mask requirements exist to protect vaccinated people from those who have not been immunized against Covid-19. This is false; experts say that the reverse is true -- masking is primarily intended to protect those who have not been inoculated.
4 June 2021
More here.
966. Online posts falsely claim Sweden stopped using PCR tests for Covid-19 in May 2021
A claim has been shared in multiple Facebook posts since May 2021 that Sweden stopped using PCR tests for diagnosing Covid-19 as these tests are purportedly unable to detect contagiousness. The claim is false: Sweden continues to use PCR tests in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 as of June 4, 2021. Swedish health authorities use clinical criteria -- not PCR tests -- to assess whether someone infected with the virus is still contagious.
4 June 2021
More here.
965. Posts falsely claim Merriam-Webster ‘changed dictionary definition of anti-vaxxer’
Facebook posts shared in May 2021 claim the US dictionary Merriam-Webster “changed [its] definition of anti-vaxxer” to include “people who oppose laws that mandate vaccination”. The claim is false: Merriam-Webster told AFP its definition of the term has not changed since its inception in 2018. Archived versions of the dictionary’s website also show its definition of the term has not changed since 2018.
4 June 2021
More here.
964. Health experts warn against using zinc as coronavirus treatment
A video viewed thousands of times on Facebook and YouTube shows a purported doctor claiming that consuming a "high concentration" of zinc treats Covid-19 infection. The claim is false: health experts say there is insufficient evidence that zinc can treat Covid-19 infection and warn consuming large amounts of it could be harmful.
4 June 2021
More here.
963. Fauci email misrepresented as evidence masks are ineffective against Covid-19
Social media posts cite a February 2020 email in which Dr Anthony Fauci advised against mask use as evidence that face coverings do not prevent the spread of Covid-19. But the email from the top US infectious disease specialist reflected the consensus among health authorities early in the Covid-19 emergency, before it was determined that widespread mask use helps curb transmission of the disease.
4 June 2021
More here.
962. US military did not arrest Trump pandemic task force coordinator
Online articles claim the US military arrested former White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx for lying to the American public about the efficacy of face masks during the pandemic. This is false; the Department of Defense says it has no knowledge of Birx’s arrest, and that the military does not have the authority to detain her.
3 June 2021
More here.
961. Medical journal did not say Covid-19 vaccines offer limited protection
Social media posts claim research by medical journal The Lancet shows that Covid-19 vaccines offer little to no protection. But the posts misrepresent one measure of vaccine efficacy referred to in an article as evidence that the inoculations are ineffective, and its authors say the shots work.
2 June 2021
More here.
960. Coronavirus tests do not make your forehead magnetic
Multiple posts shared online in South Korea claim that taking a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test repeatedly for Covid-19 can make your forehead magnetic. However, the claim is the latest in a string of misleading claims linking coronavirus tests and vaccines to magnets.
2 June 2021
More here.
959. Fake graphic misrepresents government data on Covid-19 vaccines in Australia
A graphic bearing the logo of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has circulated online alongside a claim that it shows there have been hundreds of “Covid-19 vaccine deaths” in the country. The posts are misleading: the TGA said it had not issued the graphic. The data in the graphic misrepresent actual figures on Covid-19 vaccinations released by the TGA on May 27, 2021.
2 June 2021
More here.
958. Facebook posts falsely purport to show black fungus patient in Sri Lanka
A photo of a man with a black growth on his face has been shared in Facebook posts which claim the image shows a case of mucormycosis -- black fungus infection -- in Sri Lanka's eastern Ampara town. The claim is false: the image has previously circulated in media reports about an outbreak of black fungus in India amid a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections. Doctors said the Ampara case had no connection to black fungus. The health ministry has said there were no reported Covid-related black fungus infections in Sri Lanka as of May 2021.
31 May 2021
More here.
957. Canadian doctors recycle inaccurate Covid-19 claims
A video featuring Canadian doctors warning about the purported harm to children from Covid-19 mitigation measures and vaccines is circulating on social media. But the 22-minute video includes multiple false or misleading assertions about mask wearing and the shots, several of which have been previously debunked.
28 May 2021
More here.
956. AFP image shared in false posts about 'Indian couple refusing ambulance decorated with Hindu god sticker'
Facebook and Twitter posts have shared an image alongside a claim that an Indian couple refused medical treatment from an ambulance decorated with a Hindu god sticker. The claim is false: the posts shared a photo taken by an AFP photographer, who said the story was fabricated. The Indian news organisation that the posts claimed published the story said it had not published any such report.
28 May 2021
More here.
955. Posts reshare old photo of ex-Sri Lankan MP in hospital alongside misleading virus claim
An image of a former Sri Lankan parliamentarian in hospital was shared repeatedly in May 2021 in Facebook posts that claim the ex-MP was being treated for Covid-19. But the photo has been shared in a misleading context: the image has actually circulated online since 2020. The former MP told AFP the image shows him receiving hospital treatment last year for an illness that was unrelated to Covid-19.
28 May 2021
More here.
954. American Red Cross accepts plasma donations from Covid-19 vaccine recipients
Social media posts claim that people who have received a Covid-19 shot are ineligible to donate plasma to the American Red Cross because the vaccine destroys antibodies -- an assertion the non-profit organization says is false.
28 May 2021
More here.
953. 5G technology is not to blame for India's coronavirus deaths
A message shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter in India claims that the country's catastrophic second wave of Covid-19 cases was caused by 5G technology. The claim is misleading: the World Health Organization (WHO), radiation experts, and health authorities have said there is no evidence that radiation emitted from 5G is harmful to human health.
28 May 2021
More here.
952. The video shows Chinese citizens being evacuated from Iran in 2020
A video has been viewed hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts in May 2021 alongside a claim it shows China evacuating its citizens from India. The claim is misleading: the video actually shows Chinese citizens being evacuated from Iran in March 2020.
28 May 2021
More here.
951. Facebook posts give false advice on how to prepare for Covid-19 vaccination
Facebook posts shared thousands of times have listed purported tips for how people should prepare to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. The claims are misleading: many of the purported tips have not been proven to prevent Covid-19 vaccine side effects, according to health experts.
27 May 2021
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950. This Australian news report about new Covid-19 treatments has been misleadingly edited
Multiple social media posts purport to show a news presenter announcing that an Australian biotech firm has “developed a new treatment it hopes will prevent people dying from the Covid-19 vaccine.” However, the video has been deceptively edited: the full news report is about a drug to prevent deaths from Covid-19, not from the vaccine.
27 May 2021
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949. Only a few schools have shut so far in South Africa as third Covid-19 wave looms
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that all schools in South Africa are closing this week. The claim is false: while a handful of schools were closed due to rising Covid-19 cases ahead of a looming third wave, the education department refuted the claims as false on May 25, 2021.
26 May 2021
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948. Video falsely claims Moderna Covid-19 vaccine contains unsafe ingredient
An online video says the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine contains a cancer-causing ingredient that is not fit for human use. But the warning in the data sheet used to “prove” the claim is about chloroform, a toxic compound that regulators do not list as being in the vaccine.
26 May 2021
More here.
947. Facebook post repeats Covid-19 vaccine myths
A lengthy text post shared on Facebook repeats multiple false claims about Covid-19 vaccines, including that the shots will cause sterilization and that they were not adequately tested.
25 May 2021
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946. Inhaling saltwater droplets could be harmful and does not cure Covid-19, health experts warn
Multiple social media posts circulating in South Korea claim that inhaling saltwater droplets produced by a humidifier can cure Covid-19. The claim is false: health experts said the advice was “baseless” and could be harmful.
25 May 2021
More here.
945. This steam inhalation device cannot prevent or cure Covid-19 infection, health experts say
Several images of a steam inhalation device have been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim that it could help prevent or cure Covid-19 infection. The claim is false: health experts said there is no evidence that inhaling steam can prevent or cure Covid-19, warning the purported treatment could be harmful.
25 May 2021
More here.
944. South Korean president did not ask US for Covid-19 vaccines for North Korea
A screenshot of a news report has been shared on Facebook alongside a claim it shows South Korean President Moon Jae-in demanded the US provide Covid-19 vaccines for North Korea. But these posts are misleading: the screenshot shows an inaccurate Korean-language translation of a news report about Moon's bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden in May 2021. The news report in fact states Moon was seeking US support for Covid-19 vaccination in South Korea, not North Korea.
25 May 2021
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943. Covid-19 vaccines were subject to animal trials
Social media posts claim that pharmaceutical companies “skipped” animal trials while developing Covid-19 vaccines because the subjects kept dying. This is false; the three vaccines authorized for emergency use by US regulators went through animal testing, and research organizations and a biologist said the trials did not reveal safety issues.
24 May 2021
More here.
942. This footage has circulated online since July 2020 in reports about an ammonia leak in India
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts that claim it shows medical oxygen being deliberately wasted in India despite a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections. The claim is false: the video has circulated in reports since July 2020 about an ammonia gas leak in India.
24 May 2021
More here.
941. Pre-pandemic photo of bodies in river recirculates online as India's Covid-19 death toll mounts
A photo of corpses floating in a river has been shared repeatedly in Facebook posts that claim it shows Covid-19 fatalities in the east Indian state of Bihar. The claim is false: the image has actually circulated online since 2015 in media reports about bodies found in a river near a cremation site in India.
24 May 2021
More here.
940. Putting lemon drops up your nose does not kill Covid-19, experts say
A video has been shared repeatedly on Facebook in which a Hindu priest claims that putting lemon drops up your nose will kill the coronavirus. The claim is false: the World Health Organization (WHO) said there is no scientific evidence that lemon can fight the virus. Experts also said there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that vitamin C can prevent or treat Covid-19.
21 May 2021
More here.
939. Health experts warn against gargling potassium-based mixture to treat Covid-19
A claim has circulated online in India that gargling a mixture of hot water and potassium alum "can save" people from Covid-19. But this claim is misleading. Global health experts warned of harmful side effects from using potassium alum, a salt-like substance used in industrial and cosmetic products. As of May 21, 2021, there is not enough scientific research to suggest potassium alum prevents or treats Covid-19.
21 May 2021
More here.
938. US government database exploited by Covid-19 vaccine critics
Misinformation has repeatedly undermined America’s response to Covid-19, encouraging people to view the disease as trivial, and to ignore measures meant to minimize the risk posed by the coronavirus.
20 May 2021
More here.
937. Ontario politician makes inaccurate claims about pandemic
A tweet from a member of the Ontario provincial parliament that claims to offer major pandemic-related findings, including Covid-19 vaccines causing harm and lockdowns being useless, has been shared thousands of times on social media. But the tweet misrepresents recent official remarks, and neither the Salk Institute nor the University of British Columbia released reports as the politician claimed.
20 May 2021
More here.
936. Philippine regulators did not approve antiparasitic drug ivermectin as Covid-19 vaccine substitute
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times in the Philippines claim that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, can be used as a substitute for Covid-19 vaccination. The posts shared an advisory for a drugstore stating the drug had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The posts are misleading: the posts shared an advisory that states government regulators approved ivermectin to treat parasitic roundworms. There is currently no clear evidence that ivermectin is an effective treatment for Covid-19, according to the FDA.
20 May 2021
More here.
935. False posts misrepresent image of lung scan taken before wide Covid-19 vaccine roll-out
An image purporting to compare the lungs of person vaccinated against Covid-19 with someone who has not received the jab has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts. The claim is false: the image is unrelated to vaccination. It shows a medical scan of a Covid-19 patient’s lungs from a Canadian university study that has circulated online since at least April 2020. The study does not mention vaccination and predates the mass roll-out of Covid-19 jabs.
20 May 2021
More here.
934. False claims touting raw onion with salt as 'Covid-19 cure' not backed by scientific evidence
As Covid-19 cases surged in India, Facebook and Instagram posts shared a claim that consuming raw onion with salt can cure the disease within minutes. The claim is false, according to experts. There are no credible reports the purported remedy can treat Covid-19 patients.
20 May 2021
More here.
933. US government data does not show Covid-19 vaccine ‘death toll’
An article claims that US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that Covid-19 shots have killed more people than all the other vaccines in the last 20 years combined. This is false; the data does not show the “death toll” from the vaccines as the article claims, and instead includes reported fatalities that occurred after inoculation, regardless of the cause.
19 May 2021
More here.
932. Hoax online report shares 'WHO's virus death toll warning for India'
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts claim the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of 50,000 daily deaths in India as it battles a surge in Covid-19 cases. The claim is false: the WHO said it did not issue the purported warning; its daily tally shows some 4,000 people are dying every day from the virus in India as of May 2021.
19 May 2021
More here.
931. False posts misrepresent video of Israeli PM Netanyahu talking about his Covid-19 vaccination
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands times in Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok posts that claim it shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu purportedly threatening to kill Muslims with vaccines. The claim is false: the video in fact shows Netanyahu discussing the syringe used when he was vaccinated against Covid-19; and nowhere in the video does he mention “killing Muslims”.
19 May 2021
More here.
930. Facebook posts falsely tout an indigenous medication in Sri Lanka as Covid-19 cure
Multiple online posts have shared a claim that Thai citizens can get inoculated against Covid-19 with their vaccine of choice when they visit as tourists in neighbouring Laos. This claim is false: as of May 18, 2021 foreign tourists were not permitted to enter Laos; the country only administers the Chinese-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine to those eligible for jabs.
18 May 2021
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929. Online posts falsely claim Thai tourists can get free Covid-19 vaccines in neighbouring Laos
Multiple online posts have shared a claim that Thai citizens can get inoculated against Covid-19 with their vaccine of choice when they visit as tourists in neighbouring Laos. This claim is false: as of May 18, 2021 foreign tourists were not permitted to enter Laos; the country only administers the Chinese-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine to those eligible for jabs.
18 May 2021
More here.
928. Facebook posts falsely tout an indigenous medication in Sri Lanka as Covid-19 cure
As Sri Lanka faces a surge in Covid-19 cases, multiple Facebook posts claim that an indigenous medication has been discovered in a southern village as a ‘cure’ for Covid-19 induced pneumonia, alongside images purported to show crowds already thronging to the area to obtain the medicine. The claims are false: both international and indigenous health experts said there was no scientific basis for the purported medicine as effective Covid-19 cure and they warn the public against falling prey to such fraudulent claims.
18 May 2021
More here.
927. Korean Facebook posts falsely claim Covid-19 is a ‘common cold that we see every year’
Facebook posts circulating in South Korea claim that Covid-19 is "merely a common cold that we see every year", referencing news reports from 2013 which mentioned a "novel coronavirus". The claim is false: the 2013 reports referred to the MERS outbreak in South Korea, which was caused by a different virus, according to health experts.
17 May 2021
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926. Covid-19 shots not designed to increase cold, flu lethality
Instagram posts claim Covid-19 vaccines will leave people exposed to deadly illness during the next cold and flu season, and that germ theory -- the proven concept that pathogens can cause disease -- is a hoax. These claims are false; experts say they are biologically implausible, germ theory is a foundation of modern medicine, and the shots against coronavirus are safe and effective.
14 May 2021
More here.
925. Posts falsely claim China ditched Covid-19 jabs in favour of 'inhaled vaccines'
Facebook posts circulating in May 2021 claim that China has abandoned Covid-19 jabs in favour of a vaccine that can be inhaled. The claim is false: while a Chinese vaccine company is carrying out trials for an “inhaled vaccine”, the product has not been rolled out as of May 14, 2021. China has continued to use traditional Covid-19 jabs and has made no indication it will abandon them.
14 May 2021
More here.
924. This video of a busy market during the pandemic was filmed in Pakistan, not India
As India’s coronavirus death toll soared, a video of shoppers at a packed market surfaced in Facebook posts alongside a claim it was filmed in Delhi. The claim is false: the video has circulated in news reports since April 2021 about a market in Lahore -- Pakistan's second-largest city -- where authorities have closed a string of shops for flouting coronavirus rules.
14 May 2021
More here.
923. Covid-19 vaccines do not contain magnetic microchips
Social media posts claim Covid-19 inoculations are an elaborate cover for the implantation of microchips, with videos suggesting people’s arms exhibit magnetic properties afterwards. But this is a hoax. The posts are the latest incarnation of a microchip conspiracy theory pushed by individuals and groups whose amplification of falsehoods are adding to vaccine hesitancy.
13 May 2021.
More here.
922. Only a small percentage of all blue surgical masks contain graphene
A post shared on Facebook claims that Chinese-manufactured blue masks “widely used” in Uganda contain graphene, a material that could be harmful to the lungs when inhaled. This is misleading; not all “blue masks” contain graphene, according to experts. Furthermore, studies are still ongoing to determine whether tiny particles of graphene found in some masks are harmful to people.
13 May 2021
More here.
921. Posts misrepresent US study on dangers of coronavirus spike protein
Multiple Facebook posts have shared parts of a study by US-based scientists that analysed spike proteins of the novel coronavirus. The posts suggest the study is evidence that some Covid-19 vaccines could be harmful. The claim is misleading: both the research institute that published the study and independent experts told AFP that it did not show Covid-19 vaccines are harmful.
13 May 2021
More here.
920. Canada’s top court is not hearing case about Covid-19 ‘crimes’
Social media posts claim that the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear a case accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and other civic officials of “crimes against humanity” for implementing public health measures against Covid-19. This is false; the document used as proof was filed in a provincial court where it was dismissed pending appeal, and the country’s top court confirmed that no such case exists on its docket.
13 May 2021
More here.
919. Study falsely claims Covid-19 vaccines may cause neurodegenerative diseases
Articles claim a study found that the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech may cause diseases such as Alzheimer’s. But medical experts say the study linking mRNA shots to neurodegenerative diseases has no scientific basis, the paper is published in a for-profit journal, and is written by a doctor with a history of opposing vaccination.
12 May 2021
More here.
918. Nigerian pastor falsely claims Covid-19 jabs are 'death warrants' and mandatory in the country
Nigerian preacher David Oyedepo claimed during a church service that Covid-19 vaccines are effectively death warrants, stating that the jabs were not tested before they were distributed globally. He also told followers that the shots are mandatory in Nigeria. These claims are false; Covid-19 vaccines are recommended in Nigeria, but not obligatory, while the national agency in charge of managing the disease has reported no deaths linked to vaccinations since their rollout began in March 2021. The Covid-19 vaccines endorsed by the World Health Organization have undergone rigorous testing for emergency use approval.
12 May 2021
More here.
917. Safe for breastfeeding mothers to get vaccinated, health authorities say
Multiple online posts have shared a report they claim is “evidence” that Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 jabs are dangerous for breastfeeding mothers. The posts are misleading: they cite a spurious report about a breastfeeding mother who was allegedly vaccinated in March 2020, two months before Pfizer-BioNTech started clinical trials for its Covid-19 jabs. As of early May 2021, health authorities said it was safe for breastfeeding mothers to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
12 May 2021
More here.
916. Scientist makes inaccurate claims on Covid-19 vaccine safety
An American scientist claims that Covid-19 vaccines pose safety concerns, including sterilization and changes to DNA, in remarks shared on social media. But experts and public health bodies say there is no evidence that mRNA shots are causing reproductive problems, and are not modifying the genes of recipients.
11 May 2021
More here.
915. Thai herbal medicine does not cure Covid-19, drug company says
As Thailand faced a surge in coronavirus cases, a message circulated on Facebook that claimed a Thai herbal drink can cure Covid-19. The claim is false: the pharmaceutical company that developed the herbal drink said it “does not have any effects on the coronavirus”. Health experts said there was no evidence the purported medicine can treat people infected with Covid-19.
11 May 2021
More here.
914. This video shows shoppers at an Indonesian market during Ramadan 2021
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times after it was shared on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows crowds of shoppers at a mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan this year. The claim is false; while the video was filmed during Ramadan 2021, it shows shoppers at a market in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, not in Malaysia.
11 May 2021
More here.
913. Supplement falsely touted as Covid-19 treatment in Sri Lanka is a 'scam', health experts say
Facebook posts shared thousands of times in Sri Lanka promote a food supplement as a Covid-19 treatment, claiming the remedy cured patients at a local hospital. The claim is false: health experts warned the purported treatment was a "scam". The hospital's director told AFP it had "no involvement" with the drug.
10 May 2021
More here.
912. Social media posts misrepresent IMF report on South Korea's post-pandemic recovery
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on social media claim the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned South Korea’s economy will not recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic until at least 2026. The claim is misleading: the posts have misrepresented an IMF report published in April 2021 that focused on government fiscal expenditures, not economic recovery. Separately, the IMF projected that South Korea’s economy will show signs of recovery from 2021.
10 May 2021
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911. These images are from India’s Kumbh Mela festival in 2019, not 2021
Two aerial photos of massive crowds have been shared in Facebook posts that purport to show celebrations at the Hindu festival Kumbh Mela in the northern Indian city of Haridwar as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases. However, the posts are misleading. While millions of pilgrims gathered for Kumbh Mela 2021 despite virus fears, the photos were actually taken at the festival in 2019 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
10 May 2021
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910. Bidens followed mask guidance when visiting Carters indoors
Social media posts and articles shared thousands of times criticize President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for not wearing masks while visiting former president Jimmy Carter and his wife. But both couples are fully vaccinated, and guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says not wearing masks during such a meeting is permitted and would likely be low-risk.
7 May 2021
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909. Tucker Carlson misrepresents government data on Covid-19 vaccines
Fox News host Tucker Carlson claims US government figures show the “apparent death rate” from Covid-19 vaccines. But the statistics he refers to come from a system that warns it may contain “incomplete” or “inaccurate” information, and says its reports alone cannot be used to determine if deaths or other adverse events were caused by immunization.
7 May 2021
More here.
908. Indian villagers are not 'rebelling against Covid-19 testing' in social media video
As a surge in Covid-19 infections overwhelmed Indian hospitals, a video emerged online in posts that claimed it shows villagers attacking health workers who tried to test them for the virus. The claim is false: the video shows a group of villagers attacking a police van after a detainee’s death in eastern India in January 2021.
7 May 2021
More here.
907. Covid-19 vaccine does not cause impotence, health experts say
Social media posts share an image combining photographs of well-known Indian doctors with a claim that Covid-19 jabs can cause permanent impotence and infertility. The claims are false. India's drug regulation authorities dismissed the claims as "absolute rubbish"; the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is no scientific evidence that Covid-19 vaccines cause impotence or infertility.
7 May 2021
More here.
906. Video of vaccination error in Mexico shared in misleading posts about Covid-19 surge in India
A video that appears to show a failed vaccination attempt has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo. The clip was shared alongside a claim that it was filmed in India as Covid-19 cases surged. But the video has been shared in a misleading context: it was filmed in Mexico and shows a vaccination error. The man in the video has since received a Covid-19 vaccine, according to the government.
7 May 2021
More here.
905. This clip actually shows a Kazakh newscaster performing tongue twisters
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in Facebook and Twitter posts claiming it shows a news report announcing that Indonesia has lifted a travel ban for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr this year. However, the posts are intended as satire. The clip actually shows a newscaster performing tongue twisters in Kazakh. An Indonesian Transportation Ministry spokeswoman told AFP that travel is still banned during Eid in May 2021.
7 May 2021
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904. Images of Filipino students 'calling for end to free food stalls' have been doctored
Three photos shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts purport to show students in the Philippines calling for an end to community-run stalls offering free food during the Covid-19 pandemic. But these photos have been doctored: they originally show students supporting the food stalls.
7 May 2021
More here.
903. Instagram video falsely claims pandemics happen every 100 years
An Instagram video with more than 600,000 views claims pandemics recur like clockwork once a century. This is false; the clip has incorrectly dated some of the widespread infectious disease outbreaks, and medical historians say it ignores many others while including a localized epidemic from France.
6 May 2021
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902. False posts claim a woman's menstrual cycle affects efficacy of Covid-19 vaccination
Facebook posts circulating online in India claim women should avoid receiving the Covid-19 vaccine on specific dates during their menstrual cycle. The claim is false, health experts said. Vaccine manufacturers in India have not warned that a woman's menstrual cycle affects the efficacy or safety of Covid-19 vaccines.
6 May 2021
More here.
901. This video shows mass prayers in Russia during Ramadan 2019
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook along with a claim that it shows Muslims in Russia praying without masks or social distancing during Ramadan in 2021, amid the pandemic. The claim is false: the video is actually from 2019, before Covid-19 lockdowns, social distancing and masks became standard practice in many countries.
6 May 2021
More here.
900. This video shows Indian police dispersing a village fair that breached pandemic restrictions
A video has been shared repeatedly in social media posts that claim it shows scuffles in an Indian village after soldiers tried to force people to receive Covid-19 vaccinations. The claim is false: the video has circulated in reports about police dispersing a fair which breached pandemic restrictions. Police told AFP that officers dispersed the crowd because the event "flouted" local restrictions.
6 May 2021
More here.
899. Homeopathy medicine not a substitute for oxygen when treating Covid-19 patients, experts say
Multiple posts shared thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram claim that a homeopathy medicine could substitute for oxygen therapy when treating severely ill Covid-19 patients. The posts circulated online in India as it faced a shortage of medical oxygen while coronavirus cases soared. The claim is false, according to health experts. The World Health Organization (WHO) also said it would not recommend the homeopathy medicine as an alternative to oxygen as of May 4, 2021.
6 May 2021
More here.
898. Facebook users misrepresent viral video of Brazillian nurses in empty coronavirus ward
A video showing health workers singing in an empty hospital ward has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim it portrays the “truth” of the coronavirus pandemic in Brazil. The claim is misleading: the clip shows a wing of a hospital in Brazil, which was treating more than 70 patients for Covid-19 in other wards. In the city where the video was filmed, the occupancy of adult intensive care beds was 93% at the time the video was recorded.
6 May 2021
More here.
897. Arizona parents did not oust school board over mask mandate
Social media posts claim that a group of parents in Vail, Arizona successfully and legally took over the school board and revoked a mask requirement. This is false; a spokeswoman for the school system said the original board members remain in place, as does the mask rule, and a senior education official reiterated that face coverings are still required as protection against coronavirus.
5 May 2021
896. Gargling antiseptic does not prevent coronavirus, health experts warn
A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter features a purported doctor claiming that gargling an antiseptic prevents Covid-19 infection. The claim is false, according to health experts.
5 May 2021
More here.
895. Misleading videos alleging Belgian politician faked Covid-19 jab in fact show vaccination practice run
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook alongside a claim it shows a Belgian politician faking his Covid-19 vaccination. The claim is misleading: the video shows a trial run for coronavirus vaccinations in Belgium for which caps were intentionally left on syringes.
4 May 2021
More here.
894. US protest photo again misrepresented as image of Montreal rally
Facebook posts claim a photograph shows protesters filling several blocks at a May 2021 rally in Montreal to oppose Covid-19 restrictions. This is false; the image was taken more than three years earlier in Washington, the US capital, during a march against gun violence.
3 May 2021
More here.
893. Online posts misrepresent video of routine birth procedure as Covid-19 ‘abuse’
A video of a mother and her newborn baby purportedly separated by a plastic sheet has been viewed thousands of times in posts that claim it shows medical “child abuse” justified by the pandemic. The claim is misleading: the baby's mother and various doctors told AFP the video shows a routine birthing procedure unrelated to coronavirus restrictions.
3 May 2021
More here.
892. Fake US CDC graphic about 'vaccine refusal' circulates online
An infographic that carries the logo of the US Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) warns refusing the coronavirus vaccine "is a form of racism" because it "harms people of color”. The graphic, however, has been manipulated: it was not issued by the CDC.
3 May 2021
More here.
891. Facebook posts exaggerate size of London protest against coronavirus rules
Facebook posts claim that a rally in the British capital of London against coronavirus rules on April 24, 2021 attracted 750,000 protesters. This figure, however, has been exaggerated; British media reported the rally attracted around 10,000 protesters -- an estimate which is borne out by photos and videos of the event. An AFP journalist who covered the rally on the ground said there were “certainly not hundreds of thousands” of protesters.
1 May 2021
More here.
890. Social media posts mislead on reasons for India's lack of oxygen plants
As India's coronavirus disaster deepened, Facebook and Twitter posts, including a tweet from a top Bollywood actress, accused the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Delhi states of failing to build sufficient oxygen plants despite being given funding in January 2021. But the claim lacks important context: although the oxygen plants mentioned in the posts were indeed not constructed in time, the funding had actually been allocated to the Central Medical Supply Store, part of India's Ministry of Health; official documents show the state governments were not involved.
1 May 2021
More here.
889. Old photo of Indian funeral pyres shared in misleading context
A photo of funeral pyres has been shared repeatedly in Facebook and Twitter posts alongside captions about a surge in Covid-19 deaths in India. The photo has been shared in a misleading context: it has circulated online since 2012 and does not relate to the coronavirus pandemic.
30 April 2021
More here.
888. Experts reject claim that supplements can counter Covid-19 vaccines
Articles shared on social media claim several dietary supplements can serve to “neutralize” effects of widely-used Covid-19 shots. This is false; doctors dismiss the claim, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the inoculations are safe and effective.
30 April 2021
More here.
887. Small percentage of vaccinated people will get Covid-19
Social media posts seek to raise doubts about vaccines by saying those who believe immunized people are at risk from others who have not received shots do not think they work. But while studies have found that vaccines protect against Covid-19, US health authorities say that a small percentage of recipients will still contract the potentially deadly disease.
29 April 2021
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886. Covid-19 vaccine does not make people dangerous to others
Social media posts claim that people vaccinated against Covid-19 pose a health risk to those who have not been immunized by “shedding” spike proteins. But experts say this is impossible, and that there is also no proof for the claim that the shots affect fertility.
29 April 2021
More here.
885. This photo shows a Tanzanian member of parliament meeting a retired Israeli paratrooper
A photo is being shared on Twitter alongside a claim that it shows Tanzanian member of parliament Hamisi Kigwangalla meeting Microsoft founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates. The claim is false; the photo was taken in Tel Aviv, Israel in 2019 when the Tanzanian politician met Shlomo Carmel, a former member of the elite Israeli paratroopers who rescued over 100 hostages held at Uganda’s Entebbe airport in 1976.Rumors, myths and misinformation about Covid-19 have spread as quickly as the disease itself. AFP Factcheck has been debunking disinformation as it emerges along with new cases across the world.
29 April 2021
More here.
884. Photo shows march calling for referendum on final Brexit deal in 2018, not anti-lockdown protest
Multiple Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts have shared an aerial photo which they claim shows a protest against coronavirus lockdowns in the UK capital of London in April 2021. The claim is false: the photo shows a march in October 2018 that called for a fresh referendum on Brexit.
29 April 2021
More here.
883. This photo shows a school-turned makeshift Covid-19 hospital in Delhi
A photo has been shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alongside a claim that it shows a 1,500-bed hospital set up to cope with surging Covid-19 cases in the northern Indian city of Lucknow. The claim is false: the image is actually from a school in Delhi that was converted into a makeshift Covid-19 hospital in April 2021.
29 April 2021
More here.
882. Misleading flu statistics fuel ‘fake pandemic’ claims online
A graphic purporting to show that flu cases have fallen dramatically since 2020 has been shared by Facebook users worldwide alongside a claim it proves health authorities are falsely passing influenza cases off as Covid-19 cases. The graphic, however, has been shared in a misleading context: it compares confirmed positive flu tests in the United States for 2020-21 with estimated cases for 2019-20. Health experts told AFP that the decline in flu cases since 2020 was likely due to lockdowns, mask-wearing and better hand hygiene during the coronavirus pandemic.
28 April 2021
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881. Misleading face mask graphic shared in incorrect virus posts
Multiple online posts have shared a graphic that purports to show the virus that causes Covid-19 is small enough to pass through certain face masks. The claim is misleading, according to health experts. The virus spreads as part of larger particles -- created by sneezing or coughing -- that are effectively blocked by face masks, they said.
28 April 2021
More here.
880. This video shows victims of a gas leak at an Indian chemical plant in May 2020
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and Weibo posts that claim it shows victims of India’s second Covid-19 wave in 2021. The claim is false: the video actually shows victims of a gas leak in an industrial port city in south India in 2020.
27 April 2021
More here.
879. South Korean Facebook users share false Covid-19 prevention tips
Facebook users in South Korea have shared a list of purported Covid-19 prevention tips, which they claim was issued by the “Samsung Alternative Medicine Institute”. The claims are false: the purported remedies are not proven treatments for Covid-19, according to health experts. There is no evidence the “Samsung Alternative Medicine Institute” exists. Separately, the Samsung Medical Center, an affiliate of Samsung Group, said it had not issued the purported tips.
27 April 2021
More here.
878. US doctor makes false claims about risk of Covid-19 vaccination
An American physician and anti-vaccination advocate claims in a video viewed more than 169,000 times that widely used Covid-19 vaccines have not been properly tested and pose long-term health risks. But experts say her claims are inaccurate, the technology used in the inoculations was under development well before the pandemic, the shots were trialed on tens of thousands of people, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that long-term side effects are unlikely.
24 April 2021
More here.
877. Video of large Indian Muslim gathering shared in wrong context as India's virus death toll surges
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows crowds of Indian Muslims gathered during Ramadan in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. The posts circulated online as India endured a huge second wave of coronavirus cases that has partly been blamed on large religious gatherings. But the video has been shared in the wrong context: it actually shows Muslims mourning the death of a cleric in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
25 April 2021
More here.
876. The US Supreme Court did not rule against mandatory vaccination
A post shared on Facebook in South Africa claims that the US Supreme Court “overturned” mandatory vaccination following a lawsuit filed by attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This is false; the precedent for mandatory vaccination dates back to a Supreme Court decision from 1905 and has not been challenged since. Furthermore, getting vaccinated against Covid-19 is currently not mandatory in the United States.
23 April 2021
More here.
875. Pre-pandemic photo of elderly woman on roadside shared in posts about India coronavirus surge
As Indian hospitals buckle under record Covid-19 infections, a photo of an elderly woman sitting by the road with an oxygen tank has been circulating on Facebook and Twitter. The claim is false; the image predates the pandemic and has circulated online since April 2018.
23 April 2021
More here.
874. A Danish health official who fainted at a press conference later said she was fine
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Instagram alongside a claim that it shows a health official who died at a press conference where Denmark announced it would suspend AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccinations. The claim is false: the head of the Danish Medicines Agency Tanja Erichsen later tweeted that she had recovered.
23 April 2021
More here.
873. Study making false claims about masks is misattributed to Stanford University
Online articles claim a study from Stanford University found that mask wearing, which is recommended to help slow spread of Covid-19, is “ineffective” and harmful. But the study’s author is not employed by the prestigious California university, and it repeats previously debunked claims about the use of face coverings during the pandemic.
22 April 2021
More here.
872. Doctored report falsely warns of new nationwide curfew in Thailand after Covid-19 infections surge
As Covid-19 infections surged in Thailand, multiple Facebook posts shared a purported news report stating a new nationwide curfew would be announced on April 23, 2021. The claim is false: the photo has been doctored from an old news report about an earlier nationwide curfew. In response to the misleading Facebook posts, the Thai government said the purported announcement was “fake”.
22 April 2021
More here.
871. Radical Pakistan party leader misleadingly claims praying at Muslim shrine can cure Covid-19
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple social media posts that shows the leader of a Pakistan extremist party encouraging people to pray at a notable Muslim shrine in the city of Lahore so they can be “healed” from Covid-19. The claim is misleading: there is no credible evidence that prayer can cure Covid-19. International health experts have previously warned against mass gatherings over fears they could exacerbate the spread of Covid-19.
22 April 2021
More here.
870. 'Positive' and 'negative' control swabs in Covid-19 test kits only used for quality control, experts say
An image purporting to show components of a Covid-19 test kit has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim that the “positive” and “negative” control swabs are proof that test results are “fixed” in advance. The claim is false: the swabs shown in the image are used to maintain quality control, not for patient testing, experts say.
22 April 2021
More here.
869. Covid-19 shots not found to have caused deaths that followed vaccinations
Social media posts claim there have been 3,005 “Covid vaccine deaths” since December 1, 2020. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it has received that many reports of deaths among people who took a Covid-19 vaccine, but found no evidence of the immunizations contributing to the fatalities.
20 April 2021
More here.
868. Experts say there are numerous factors behind erectile dysfunction, but the Covid-19 vaccine is not one of them
Posts claiming that Covid-19 vaccinations are causing erectile dysfunction in men have been circulating widely on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter in Indonesia. The claim is false: vaccine manufacturers say there are no documented instances of Covid-19 vaccinations causing male impotence; experts told AFP that erectile dysfunction is most often caused by psychological not physical issues.
20 April 2021
More here.
867. Satirical article about Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine ‘upgrade’ misleads Facebook users
Facebook posts shared repeatedly by social media users worldwide claim that Pfizer has announced an “upgrade” to its Covid-19 vaccine that includes a “Microsoft chip for reduced symptoms”. The claim is false: the article originated on a satirical website. A search of both Pfizer and Microsoft’s media releases found neither company has announced an “upgrade” to any Covid-19 vaccine.
19 April 2021
More here.
866. Covid-19 vaccinations offered by Ontario mobile clinics are voluntary
Social media posts claim that medical authorities are going door-to-door to force people to get Covid-19 vaccines in Ontario. This is false; vaccination is not mandatory in Canada, and public health experts say mobile clinics have been set up in Ontario to reach mostly older people in densely populated, high-risk neighborhoods who otherwise might have difficulties accessing the shots.
16 April 2021
More here.
865. Covid-19 precautions do not mean vaccines are ineffective
Fox News host Tucker Carlson asks in a video viewed more than 450,000 times on Facebook why people immunized against Covid-19 need to observe measures such as mask use if vaccines are effective. But the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes clear that precautions remain necessary because it is not yet known how well the shots protect against variants or prevent people from spreading Covid-19.
16 April 2021
More here.
864. Viral post misleads on health insurer’s response to Covid-19 vaccine coverage
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim a major New Zealand health insurer said it “will not pay out on Life Insurance policies or medical if one has had the Covid vaccine”. The claim is misleading; Southern Cross Insurance told AFP health and life insurance policies will continue as normal for people who have received a Covid-19 vaccine. New Zealand's government-run Accident Compensation Corporation also said that they cover vaccine-related injuries.
16 April 2021
More here.
863. Florida local coronavirus measures still in place despite prohibitions on fines
Social media posts from April 2021 claim Florida has no mask mandates or other coronavirus-related restrictions and yet is not seeing a spike in cases. This is misleading; major Florida counties still have measures aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 in place, though the governor has prohibited the assessment of fines for violations, and new cases of the disease have been on the rise in the state.
15 April 2021
More here.
862. Hoax reports falsely claim popular Filipino comedian Jose Manalo is 'dead'
A claim that Philippine television host and comedian Jose Manalo is dead has been shared in multiple Facebook, YouTube and blog posts since April 1, 2021. The claim is false: Manalo is “alive, well and kicking” according to his management team, and has appeared in live episodes of his television show after the hoax circulated. The posts that shared the false claim also contain a doctored news report.
14 April 2021
More here.
861. 'Vitamins, sunlight and alkaline foods': false list of purported Covid-19 treatments recirculates online
As the Philippines struggled to contain a surge in Covid-19 cases, a list of purported home remedies to treat the disease recirculated on social media. The posts claimed the purported treatments were endorsed by a director at a Manila hospital. This is false. In 2020, health experts told AFP the purported coronavirus remedies were not cures for Covid-19. The Manila hospital cited in the recent social media posts said the list was not issued by any of its doctors.
14 April 2021
More here.
860. Pre-pandemic video of Brazil police closing beach fuels anti-lockdown sentiment
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows police attempting to close down a beach in Brazil due to Covid-19 restrictions. The video has been shared by anti-lockdown pages on Facebook and Instagram. But the claim is false: the video has circulated online since 2012; it actually shows crowds being dispersed due to restrictions on playing “altinha”, a popular beach game in Rio de Janeiro, local media reported at the time.
14 April 2021
More here.
859. Canada’s federal government does not mandate vaccination
Social media posts claim a Canadian lawyer won a case against “forced immunization” and the result now has the force of federal law. This is false; vaccination is not mandatory at the federal level in Canada, provinces that require proof of immunization for school attendance allow exemptions, and two vaccine-related cases in which the attorney is involved remain unresolved.
13 April 2021
More here.
858. Black threads in face masks are harmless textile fibres, scientists say
Several videos showing close-up shots of face masks have been shared online alongside a claim that the masks' black threads are “worms” or “parasites”. The claim is false, according to scientists who told AFP that the threads are harmless fibres.
13 April 2021
More here.
857. Face masks help prevent spread of Covid-19
Social media posts shared thousands of times criticize the use of masks to curb the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, asking why one person should have to wear a face covering if somebody else’s works. This is misleading; according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, masks help prevent people from spreading or contracting Covid-19, and widespread use makes them more effective.
12 April 2021
More here.
856. Posts falsely claim Chinese official touted antibiotic oxytetracycline as Covid-19 treatment
Facebook, Twitter and Weibo posts purport to show a Chinese official promoting antimalarial drug chloroquine phosphate, which they claim is also known as oxytetracycline, as a Covid-19 treatment at a press conference in 2021. The claim is misleading: the official made the comments in February 2020; While she touted chloroquine phosphate as a Covid treatment, she did not mention oxytetracycline, which is a different drug.
12 April 2021
More here.
855. Moderna boss did not say 'vaccines change your DNA'
An article shared thousands of times on social media claims that Tal Zaks, the chief medical officer of US pharma firm Moderna, said messenger RNA vaccines can "alter" human DNA. The posts, which circulated online as Moderna's mRNA Covid-19 vaccine was administered to millions of people around the world, claim Zaks made the comments during a TEDx Talk. The claim is false: Zaks did not make the purported comments. Scientists have previously rejected false claims that mRNA vaccines can alter DNA.
12 April 2021
More here.
854. The video shows officers protesting over government handling of police brutality complaints in June 2020
Facebook, Instagram and TikTok posts circulating in April 2021 share a video they claim shows French police throwing their handcuffs to the ground to protest coronavirus lockdowns. The claim is false: the footage actually shows officers protesting a perceived lack of support from the government over police brutality complaints in June 2020.
10 April 2021
More here.
853. US cardiologist makes false claims about Covid-19 vaccination
Video of a cardiologist claiming that there is no reason for healthy people under the age of 50 or those who have recovered from Covid-19 to be vaccinated against the virus has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media. But medical experts say younger people should be inoculated because they can still be affected by the virus, and that the shots also benefit those who have already had the disease.
9 April 2021
More here.
852. This man was arrested at a demonstration supporting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in January 2021
Facebook and Instagram posts purport to show a video of an elderly man who was arrested for not wearing a facemask, despite allegedly being vaccinated against Covid-19. The claim is misleading: the man was arrested for breaching coronavirus restrictions at a demonstration in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London in January 2021. Health authorities recommend wearing masks and social distancing even for people who have been fully vaccinated.
9 April 2021
More here.
851. This photo was taken in November 2019, before India detected its first Covid-19 case
A photo of top officials in the Indian capital Delhi has been shared in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts alongside a claim that it shows them placing a mask on a boy's face while they themselves are not wearing masks, despite rising Covid-19 cases. The claim is false: the original photo was taken in November 2019, when authorities distributed masks to students to protect them from air pollution. India declared its first coronavirus case in January 2020.
9 April 2021
More here.
850. Papua New Guinea posts misrepresent AstraZeneca roll-out in Australia
Facebook posts circulating in Papua New Guinea in March 2021 share a screenshot of an Australian news report about the temporary suspension of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in Europe over blood clot concerns. The posts claim the vaccine is being "questioned" by Australian authorities. The posts have shared the news report in a misleading context: it shows an interview with Australian Environment Minister Sussan Ley on March 16, in which she said she had confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine. Australian health authorities later recommended the jab only be given to people over the age of 50 after rare blood clot cases.
8 April 2021
More here.
849. Pakistani social media users share debunked coronavirus myths
A video has been shared tens of thousands of times by Pakistani Facebook users that claims Italian doctors discovered Covid-19 is caused by a bacteria. The video goes on to claim the bacteria is somehow spread through the "poisonous waves of 5G", causing an infection that is curable by taking paracetamol or aspirin. These claims are false, according to international health experts. Italy’s health ministry previously told AFP the claims were a “hoax" after they circulated online in the Philippines.
8 April 2021
More here.
848. Misleading Facebook posts claim Covid-19 vaccine increases risk of catching the novel coronavirus
Multiple Facebook posts share a claim that people become more prone to Covid-19 infection after they receive their first of two vaccine doses. The claim is misleading: while people who have received the Covid-19 jab can still contract the virus, getting the vaccine itself does not increase the risk of Covid-19 infection.
8 April 2021
More here.
847. Facebook posts misleadingly claim only one politician has died from Covid-19
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a claim that “not a single politician in the world” died of Covid-19 except John Magufuli, a former president of Tanzania known for downplaying the scale of the pandemic. The claim is misleading: at least eight serving and former politicians globally have died of Covid-19, according to an AFP tally. Tanzanian authorities said Magufuli died of a heart condition, while his opponents insisted he contracted the coronavirus before his death.
7 April 2021
More here.
846. Article misrepresents US data on deaths after vaccinations
An article claims the number of “vaccine related deaths” in the United States in 2021 surpasses that of the past decade, as a national Covid-19 inoculation campaign accelerates. But the government reporting system cited in the piece makes clear that the deaths have not been definitively linked to immunization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the data generally cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused a fatality.
2 April 2021
More here.
845. Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine are not proven Covid-19 treatments
Two videos shared hundreds of times on Facebook feature a Kenyan doctor alleging that two drugs -- ivermectin on its own and hydroxychloroquine in combination with zinc and azithromycin -- are effective in treating Covid-19. But the claims are false: there is no scientific evidence that either medication can help treat the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
2 April 2021
More here.
844. This video does not show Covid-19 victims -- it shows a Russian music video being filmed
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in Facebook and Twitter posts claiming it shows “dead bodies piled up from Covid”. One of the purported corpses can be seen smoking a cigarette, prompting claims that he could be a “crisis actor”. The claims are false: the clip does not show coronavirus victims. It has circulated online in social media posts since September 2020 about the filming of a Russian music video.
2 April 2021
More here.
843. Husband of Toronto Covid response chief has not been arrested
An article suggests that the husband of Toronto public health official Eileen de Villa has been arrested, that he put “pressure” on her to enact tight restrictions against Covid-19, and that he has a conflict of interest over vaccines. The claims, based on social media posts, are false; Toronto police said there was no arrest, the health department rejected the conflict of interest allegation, and the man in question has disclosed his financial ties with drug companies.
1 April 2021
More here.
842. Mass Covid-19 vaccination will not lead to ‘out of control’ variants
A scientist’s open letter to the World Health Organization claims that the large-scale Covid-19 vaccination drives currently underway around the world should cease before they produce the catastrophic appearance of more deadly variants of the coronavirus and increased risk for younger people. But medical experts say the claims are false and that vaccination is urgently needed to control virus mutation through widespread immunity.
31 March 2021
More here.
841. Facebook posts mislead on meaning of 'AstraZeneca'
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim AstraZeneca, the name of a British-Swedish drugmaker, means "weapon that kills" in a combination of three languages. The posts circulated online after millions of Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines were administered to people around the world. The claim is misleading: the name "AstraZeneca" was created from the names of two other companies. "Astra" derives from the Greek word "astron", meaning "star", while "Zeneca" refers to "Zeneca Group", a British company whose name was invented by a branding agency.
29 March 2021
More here.
840. Footage from Israeli coronavirus vaccination clinic circulates alongside false claim about a vaccine-related death
A video has been shared in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim that it shows a person who died “within 15 minutes” of receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. The claim, however, is false: the footage in fact shows a man who collapsed from an unrelated ailment at a vaccination clinic in Israel and was later released home, the administering healthcare organisation told AFP; an Israeli government report on Covid-19 vaccine safety also makes no mention of any vaccine-related deaths.
31 March 2021
More here.
839. False claim circulates online in Thailand about coronavirus vaccine eligibility
As Thailand launched its coronavirus vaccination drive, a claim circulated on Facebook and messaging app Line in late March 2021 that all adults aged over 19 could receive the jab in the Thai capital Bangkok. The claim is false: as of March 30, 2021, a top official in Thailand’s disease control department told AFP that Covid-19 vaccines would only initially be available to people in certain risk groups. In response to the social media posts, the Thai government urged people not to share “fake information”.
30 March 2021
More here.
838. This image has been doctored to show a fabricated message from Queen Elizabeth II
An image has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts alongside a claim it shows a UK billboard displaying a message from Queen Elizabeth II thanking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing Britain with Covid-19 vaccines. The claim is false: the image has been digitally manipulated to include a fabricated quote from the Queen, who has not made any such statement as of March 30, 2021.
30 March 2021
More here.
837. Disneyland has not banned screaming on its rides
Facebook posts shared more than 150,000 times claim that California theme park Disneyland banned screaming on its rides. This is false; a Walt Disney Company spokesperson said it does not have such a policy, and there is no mention of it on the park’s official website, which lists mask-wearing and other measures to help combat Covid-19 when it reopens.
29 March 2021
More here.
836. Facebook account impersonating Ugandan newspaper promotes fabricated job listings
A Facebook account purporting to be run by Ugandan newspaper Daily Monitor is spreading the claim that the country’s Covid-19 task force is hiring more staff. This is false; the account is fake and not affiliated with the newspaper. Furthermore, AFP Fact Check confirmed with Uganda’s Ministry of Health that the job listings are a hoax.
29 March 2021
More here.
835. US doctor makes false claims in video about Covid-19
A video from a Texas doctor warning against Covid-19 immunizations and touting drugs he says can treat the disease has been shared tens of thousands of times on social media. But medical experts say the physician’s claims about the safety and efficacy of the widely-used vaccines are false, and medications he advocates are not recommended by health authorities.
26 March 2021
More here.
834. This photo was taken at a rally in Bulgaria in 2013
An image of a tearful woman gazing into the eyes of a police officer in riot gear has been shared in multiple Facebook posts which claim the picture was taken in the Netherlands in March 2021 amid protests against coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The claim is false; the image shows an anti-corruption protest in Bulgaria in 2013.
26 March 2021
More here.
833. Former top medical official makes misleading claims about Papua New Guinea vaccine roll-out
A Facebook post written by the former chairman of Papua New Guinea’s Institute of Medical Research claims vaccines being rolled out for health workers in the country have bypassed the appropriate regulatory authorities and are being rolled out “for monetary gains”. The claims are misleading: experts told AFP that the vaccine has passed necessary regulation and is provided free of charge, while institutions linked to the professor have distanced themselves from his remarks and endorsed the vaccine roll-out.
26 March 2021
More here.
832. Facebook posts misleadingly tout pineapple drink as Covid-19 remedy
A screenshot of a news report detailing research on a potential coronavirus treatment that involves pineapple plants has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook alongside photos of pineapple drinks. The posts suggest pineapple-based drinks could be a "natural remedy" for Covid-19. The claim is misleading: in August 2020, researchers in Australia studied a potential Covid-19 treatment that combined the pineapple enzyme with another agent; a researcher involved in the project told AFP in March 2021 that pineapple drinks “will not work” against Covid-19.
25 March 2021
More here.
831. Film portraying a pandemic’s devastation is not set in 2021
A Facebook post claims the years-old movie “I Am Legend,” which depicts the world devastated by a deadly virus after a cancer cure goes wrong, is set in 2021 -- an attempt at linking the sci-fi thriller’s plot with coronavirus and Covid-19 vaccines. This is false; the movie is set in 2012.
24 March 2021
More here.
830. AstraZeneca rejects rumours it is planning to sue South Korean media
Facebook posts circulating in March 2021 claim that AstraZeneca is preparing to file a lawsuit against South Korean media outlets for damages. The claim is missing context: the pharmaceutical giant told AFP the claim is groundless and that it has reported the “fake news” to authorities; a lawyer told AFP that disputes between companies and domestic media are typically handled by the Press Arbitration Commission in South Korea, not by lawsuit.
24 March 2021
More here.
829. This image shows an anti-Brexit demonstration in London in 2019
An aerial image of a large protest has been shared on Facebook and Instagram alongside a claim that it shows an anti-lockdown demonstration in the UK capital of London in March 2021. The claim is false; the photo in fact shows an anti-Brexit protest in March 2019.
24 March 2021
More here.
828. Anti-lockdown group promotes misleading claims about face masks as 'fact check'
A Facebook post in South Africa makes several claims about masks, including that they are ineffective in preventing the spread of Covid-19 in the general population and that they inhibit children’s social development. But these allegations are missing context: health experts say masks reduce virus transmission when worn properly. AFP Fact Check has previously debunked similar claims about masks affecting children’s psychological evolution.
23 March 2021
More here.
827. Papua New Guinea post shares Covid-19 vaccine misinformation
A Facebook post circulating in Papua New Guinea warns that Covid-19 vaccines are being trialled on people in the country and advises them to “stay away from hospital” if they develop symptoms. The post adds that the disease is “just a seasonal flu” and advises at-home treatments. The claims are false: the vaccines being rolled out in Papua New Guinea have been rigorously tested for safety in other countries and experts say those who develop flu-like symptoms should get a Covid-19 test and seek medical help if needed.
23 March 2021
More here.
826. Australian military refutes claim of ‘severe side effects’ from Covid-19 vaccines amongst Navy service members
Multiple social media posts claim that 80 percent of Australian Navy service members who received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine are experiencing “severe side effects,” while the remaining 20 percent have “mild side effects”. The claim is false; the Australian Department of Defence said the claim is “not true” and Australian health officials have not reported any abnormal side effects.
20 March 2021
More here.
825. Covid-19 vaccination does not invalidate US life insurance policies
Social media posts say that life insurance companies will not pay claims if a person dies within one year of receiving a vaccination against Covid-19. This is false, according to the organization that represents American life insurance firms and several US state regulators.
19 March 2021
More here.
824. This footage circulated before the Covid-19 pandemic in reports about students fleeing tear gas at a school in Nigeria
Footage of students fleeing a building has been shared in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim that it shows children running from a school where “live virus” Covid-19 vaccines were being forcibly administered to black kids. The claim, however, is false: the video has circulated since 2019 -- months before Covid-19 became a global concern -- in reports about students in Nigeria running from a tear gas canister that was accidentally opened in a school.
19 March 2021
More here.
823. Misleading Facebook posts tell people with Covid symptoms not to get tested in Papua New Guinea
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times advise people with Covid symptoms in Papua New Guinea that they “must manage themselves at home” and not to go for Covid-19 tests. The posts also list “home remedies' for the disease. The posts are misleading: PNG’s Covid-19 Joint Task Force recommends that everyone exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms get tested and follow public health advice when being treated for the disease; health experts say the misleading post's recommendations go against the country’s current public health advice and could be dangerous.
19 March 2021
More here.
822. The picture of Pfizer vaccines sold online is ‘fake’ – Malaysia prohibits the sale of Covid-19 vaccines
A picture has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccines are sold on popular e-shopping platform Shopee in Malaysia. The claim is false; Shopee says the photo is “fake” and Covid-19 vaccines have never been listed on its platform. The Malaysian Health Ministry says only the government can supply Covid-19 vaccines and the sale of Covid-19 vaccines is prohibited.
19 March 2021
More here.
821. New Zealand-based anti-lockdown page shares misleading anti-vaccine video
A video posted on Facebook by a New Zealand-based anti-lockdown page makes a number of claims, including that Covid-19 vaccines are the “most rushed vaccines ever”. The claim is misleading: according to experts, Covid-19 vaccines have been developed in ground-breaking time because governments have poured unusual amounts of resources into the development process.
19 March 2021
More here.
820. Pre-pandemic photo recirculates in false posts about Covid-19 outbreak linked to Hong Kong gym
Following the detection of a Covid-19 infection cluster in Hong Kong linked to a gym, multiple Facebook and online forum posts have shared a photo that they claim shows an employee at the gym and a club member engaging in indelicate behaviour. The claim is false: the photo has circulated online since 2016 in posts about a fitness instructor and his wife in Thailand.
19 March 2021
More here.
819. Study did not find link between Covid-19 mRNA vaccines and cancer
An article shared thousands of times on social media claims a study from a renowned US cancer center found that Covid-19 mRNA vaccines could be linked to cancer. But the researchers did not examine such vaccines, and the article falsely portrays the actual findings of the study, the center and medical experts say.
18 March 2021
More here.
818. Boxing great Hagler’s death not linked to Covid-19 vaccine
Social media posts claim middleweight boxing legend Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s death was linked to a Covid-19 vaccination. But Hagler’s wife denied vaccine involvement, his official website says he died of natural causes, and the state medical examiner is not investigating the fatality.
17 March 2021
More here.
817. Covid-19 vaccination does not impact Canada life insurance coverage
Social media posts claim that Canadian company Manulife will deny life insurance payments to people who have been immunized against Covid-19 because the vaccines are “experimental.” This is false; both the firm and the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association said coverage would not be affected.
17 March 2021
More here.
816. Old video recirculates online in misleading posts about Philippine economy during Covid-19 pandemic
Multiple Facebook, Twitter and TikTok posts have shared a video in March 2021, claiming it shows the World Bank has praised the Philippine government for the country’s “strong” economic performance despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The claim is misleading: the video shows a news report that has circulated online since 2019, months before the country declared its first Covid-19 infection; the Philippine economy in fact shrank to record levels during the pandemic, according to the country’s statistics agency.
17 March 2021
More here.
815. US regulatory document circulates in misleading Facebook posts that undermine the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine
A US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) document detailing the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine has been shared in multiple Australian Facebook posts that sow doubt over the vaccine and note specifically how the FDA states it is an “unapproved vaccine.” The posts, however, are misleading: the full FDA document explains how the Pfizer vaccine was granted emergency use authorization in the US and Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has also approved the vaccine.
17 March 2021
More here.
814. Social media posts falsely claim link between AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab and Australian minister’s skin infection
A claim that Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt has suffered cellulitis caused by an AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter. The claim is false: according to medical experts, cellulitis is a skin infection that may occur when bacteria enter the skin; Hunt suffered from cellulitis on his leg, not his arm where the vaccine was administered.
16 March 2021
More here.
813. Misleading social media posts circulate claiming a Covid-19 vaccination centre in Jakarta is open to all
A claim circulating on Facebook says that a Covid-19 vaccination centre in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta is open to everyone with an Indonesian ID card. The claim is false: the programme is only open for the elderly and employees of state-run companies who are registered as Jakarta residents.
16 March 2021
More here.
812. Catholic doctors in Kenya reject Covid-19 vaccines, repeat false claims in statement
The Kenya Catholic Doctors Association recently issued a press statement discouraging people from getting Covid-19 vaccines, calling them “unnecessary” and “unsafe”. The press release, however, was wrong on a number of points, including claims that steam and hydroxychloroquine can treat Covid-19. The document also punted population control conspiracies; AFP Fact Check has previously debunked these and other claims. The World Health Organization (WHO) dismissed the statement and assured the public that the vaccines were safe.
15 March 2021
More here.
811. Doctored newspaper front page claims medics advise against Covid-19 jab
An image has been shared in multiple Facebook posts that purportedly shows a headline in the February 16, 2021 edition of The Times that reads “Doctors and experts advise against taking experimental jab”. The posts circulated amid widespread mistrust and misinformation around Covid-19 vaccines. However, the image is a fabrication; The Times’s archive shows a different front page on February 16 and the newspaper published an article calling out the story as “fake”.
15 March 2021
More here.
810. Canadian doctors make inaccurate Covid-19 claims in video
A video titled “Canadian Doctors Speak Out,” which claims to offer the top reasons not to fear Covid-19, has been shared thousands of times on social media. But public health experts said it includes misleading claims about variants of the disease and immunity, and recommends treatments that have not been proven effective against the virus.
12 March 2021
More here.
809. Covid-19 relief act does not include bonus for US lawmakers
Facebook posts claim that the $1.9 trillion US pandemic relief act includes a $25 million bonus for members of the House of Representatives. This is false; it mentions no such measure, and a government official said the claim is inaccurate.
12 March 2021
More here.
808. Article misrepresents CDC study on mask mandate effectiveness
An article from One America News Network shared thousands of times on Facebook claims that a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found face masks do little to prevent the spread of Covid-19. This is false; the research examined the effectiveness of mask mandates, not masks, finding that state-issued orders requiring face coverings were linked to a decreased growth rate in Covid-19 cases and deaths, and a CDC spokeswoman said masks are very effective against the deadly illness.
12 March 2021
More here.
807. The video was originally uploaded as satire by a Greece-based Facebook user
A video that appears to show a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking chip in a face mask was published by a New Zealand-based Facebook user alongside a claim that masks made in China “often contain RFID chips”. The claim, however, is false; the video was originally uploaded as satire by a Greece-based Facebook user who inserted the chip into the face mask as a joke.
12 March 2021
More here.
806. This photo shows South Korea’s governor taking part in a Covid-19 vaccination simulation exercise
A photo has been shared on multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Naver blog alongside a claim that Kim Kyoung-soo, the governor of South Korea’s South Gyeongsang province, received a Covid-19 vaccine shot through his jacket. The claim is misleading: the photo was taken during a mock vaccination exercise on March 2, 2021; no actual Covid-19 vaccine shots were given that day, a government official says.
12 March 2021
More here.
805. False claim about Covid-19 vaccine causing infertility circulates online
A video post claims pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline’s Covid-19 vaccine contains ingredients that will cause infertility, and that immunized men can make unvaccinated women sterile, which would cause a global population decline. This is false; the drug company does not have its own Covid-19 vaccine, and doctors say such shots could not cause infertility.
11 March 2021
More here.
804. Facebook posts misleadingly claim half of South Koreans suffer from underlying medical conditions
Multiple Facebook posts shared repeatedly in March 2021 claim that 50 percent of South Koreans suffer from underlying medical conditions. The claim is misleading: there are no official reports to support the claim and the figures cited in the misleading posts are either outdated or inaccurate.
11 March 2021
More here.
803. Misleading Facebook posts claim woman died from Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Japan
Facebook posts circulating in the Philippines share a news report about a “victim” of Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine who died after receiving the jab in Japan. However, the posts are misleading; they exclude the part of the news report that explains health authorities found no link between the woman’s death and her vaccination.
11 March 2021
More here.
802. This poster has been doctored from a health notice promoting the coronavirus jab
Multiple South Korean Facebook users have shared an image of a public health campaign poster, purportedly from a Swiss medical organisation, which advises people not to take a Covid-19 vaccine. The poster is a fake; it has been doctored from a real Swiss public health campaign which urged people to get the jab. The organisation mentioned in the misleading poster does not exist and the logos on the poster are unrelated to public health.
9 March 2021
More here.
801. David Icke interview resurfaces with multiple false claims about Covid-19
A video of British author David Icke talking about Covid-19 has been viewed millions of times since it was first published in April 2020, and recently picked up steam again on social media. The hour-long clip shared on Facebook is from a longer video, since removed from YouTube. In the clip, Icke, who is known for promoting conspiracy theories, presents himself as a researcher and claims that the Covid-19 pandemic was orchestrated by supernatural forces attempting to “dismantle” the world economic system and “control” the population using new technologies like 5G. But this popular conspiracy theory is based on false and misleading claims, as several experts told AFP Fact Check.
8 March 2021
More here.
800. Misleading posts claim Australia’s New South Wales declared end to Covid-19 pandemic
Multiple Facebook posts claim the Australian state of New South Wales declared an end to the Covid-19 pandemic and that the state, without a mask mandate, recorded no cases in over a month. The claim is misleading: while the state marked its 50th consecutive day of no locally transmitted Covid-19 cases on March 8, 2021, it did record several imported cases; residents are also still required to wear masks in certain circumstances.
8 March 2021
More here.
799. This is a manipulated picture that the Singaporean hospital has rejected as ‘fake news’
A picture has been shared widely on Facebook and Twitter in Singapore alongside a claim that it shows a Covid-19 vaccination certificate that contained a warning that the shots will prolong erections and increase penis size. The claim is false; the hospital denied the allegation and genuine vaccine recipients contain no mention of the warning.
8 March 2021
More here.
798. Canadian activist makes inaccurate claims about Covid-19 vaccine safety
An Ontario anti-mask activist makes false claims in an Instagram video about the safety of Covid-19 vaccines available in Canada and misleadingly refers to potential adverse vaccine reactions recorded in the United States. Medical experts said the shots do not alter the DNA of recipients or make people infectious, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it has not detected safety issues with the vaccines.
8 March 2021
More here.
797. South Korean health authorities' seizure of Covid-19 vaccines sparks false claims online
Three images have been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts in February 2021 alongside a claim that South Korean health authorities destroyed a batch of Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines after they were exposed to colder temperatures than is recommended. The claim is false: two images show South Korean health authorities conducting drills for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. The third image originates from a Korean media report about officials seizing a batch of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines after they were briefly exposed to unsuitable temperatures. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said the vaccines were not destroyed and would still be used for the inoculations.
5 March 2021
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796. Post falsely claims Johnson & Johnson didn't update public after vaccine trial volunteer fell ill
A Facebook post claims that vaccine maker Johnson & Johnson has failed to update the public on why “volunteers” fell ill during the trials of its Covid-19 shot in 2020, an event that brought a temporary halt to clinical testing. This claim is misleading; only one trial participant reportedly fell sick, and while the illness remains unexplained, the company released a statement of its findings in October 2020 that ruled out the vaccine as a cause.
4 March 2021
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795. Inhaling steam from herbal tea does not help treat or prevent Covid-19
A post shared hundreds of times on social media in South Africa claims that inhaling steam from a tea made from guava leaves, eucalyptus and an artemisia variety known as mhlonyane will "kill" the virus that causes Covid-19. But this is false: the World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend steam inhalation to treat or prevent Covid-19.
4 March 2021
More here.
794. Change of needles is not evidence that Malaysian PM ‘faked’ Covid-19 vaccination, experts say
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim health authorities should “explain” why two needles were used to give Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin a Covid-19 vaccine. The posts came after several other world leaders faced false accusations that they faked their Covid-19 vaccinations. The claim is misleading: it is common to change needles between the preparation and administration of vaccines for hygiene and practical reasons, according to health experts.
4 March 2021
More here.
793. Video shows a patient having a seizure at a hospital in Argentina, not a Covid-19 vaccine recipient
A clip of a woman convulsing on the ground has spread across social media worldwide in multiple languages alongside a claim that she is suffering from side effects after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. But this claim is false: the video showed a patient suffering a seizure at the Larcade hospital near Buenos Aires in Argentina, and doctors there told AFP that the woman had not been vaccinated against Covid-19.
4 March 2021
More here.
792. These images show different vaccinations in recent years
A collage of seven photos featuring Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder receiving vaccinations has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook, purporting to show the evidence of “fake jabs” as countries including Germany and Australia roll out their Covid-19 vaccination campaigns. The claim is misleading: the photos actually show Söder receiving different vaccinations at separate events between 2009 and 2020.
4 March 2021
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791. Kentucky monastery Covid-19 cases not evidence of vaccine problems
Online articles say that dozens of nuns in the US state of Kentucky tested positive for Covid-19 after being vaccinated against the disease and two died, questioning the efficacy and the safety of the shots. But one nun said another sister at the monastery contracted the disease prior to the vaccinations, prompting others to be tested after receiving the vaccine, and that the deaths were the result of Covid-19.
3 March 2021
More here.
790. Video falsely claims Indonesia’s religious affairs minister banned communal Friday prayers
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on YouTube and Facebook alongside a claim that it shows Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister banned communal Friday prayers. The claim is false, according to the Religious Affairs Ministry. The video shared on YouTube and Facebook in fact shows scenes at a mosque captured in March 2020, months before Yaqut was appointed as religious affairs minister. The letter shown in the video is a regional directive issued by an official in the Indonesian city of Kupang, not Yaqut.
2 March 2021
More here.
789. Doctored news graphic falsely claims Filipino official advised giving China's Sinovac vaccine to poor people
As the Philippines gave emergency approval to the Chinese-made Sinovac coronavirus vaccine, a purported news graphic circulated online that appeared to show genuine comments about the jab from the Philippines' head of vaccine procurement, Carlito Galvez. The posts allege Galvez suggested the vaccine should be reserved for "poor Filipinos". The claim is false: the purported news graphic, which was shared in multiple Twitter and Facebook posts, has been fabricated. Galvez's office denied he made the alleged remarks in a post on Twitter on February 23, 2021.
3 March 2021
More here.
788. Covid-19 measures won’t be lifted on March 1 in Canada
Social media posts claim that all public health measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Canada, including lockdowns, mask mandates and social distancing, will end on March 1, 2021. This is false, according to provincial governments which are responsible for most rules related to the deadly virus.
26 February 2021
More here.
787. Indian social media posts, media reports falsely claim WHO approved herbal medicine as Covid-19 treatment
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times claim the World Health Organization (WHO) approved Coronil, an Indian herbal medication, as a Covid-19 treatment. The claim was also shared in multiple Indian news reports. The claim is false: while Coronil was approved as a Covid-19 treatment by Indian government regulators, it has not been certified as a coronavirus treatment by the WHO as of February 26, 2021.
26 February 2021
More here.
786. President Cyril Ramaphosa did not receive his Covid-19 vaccine with a capped needle
Social media posts have claimed that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa received a Covid-19 shot with a syringe that still had the needle covered by a cap. This is false; various images and videos taken from different angles show Ramaphosa was vaccinated with an exposed needle.
24 February 2021
More here.
785. This photo shows an anti-government protest in Bucharest in 2017, not 2021
An image has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows protesters in Romania rallying against Covid-19 restrictions. The claim is false: the photo shows an anti-government protest in the Romanian capital Bucharest in 2017.
24 February 2021
More here.
784. Social media posts falsely claim Vietnam has recorded no deaths from Covid-19
Multiple posts on Facebook claim that Vietnam has recorded no deaths from Covid-19 due to widespread consumption of hot lemon tea in the population. The claim is false: as of February 22, 2021, Vietnam has recorded 35 coronavirus deaths. Health experts said there is "no evidence" that hot lemon tea is an effective Covid-19 treatment.
23 February 2021
More here.
783. Unrelated photos published in false report about Moderna Covid-19 vaccine side effects
Two photos have been published in a purported news report that claims they show people suffering from side effects caused by Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine. The report has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Korean online forum Naver Blog. The claim is false: the photos have both circulated online in unrelated reports published before the coronavirus pandemic. The purported report shared in the social media posts was not published by a credible news outlet.
23 February 2021
More here.
782. Facebook posts falsely claim Australian PM’s Covid-19 vaccination was 'faked'
Multiple Facebook posts claim Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Covid-19 vaccination -- broadcast live on national television on February 21, 2021 -- was faked. The posts claim the doctor who vaccinated Morrison left the cap on the syringe. But the claim is false: the medic used an exposed needle to vaccinate Morrison, photos and video footage of the procedure show.
23 February 2021
More here.
781. Weibo user's satirical TV report about coronavirus lockdowns in China is lost in translation
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook and YouTube posts alongside a claim it shows a CNN journalist deliberately mistranslating a Chinese man’s comments in a report about coronavirus lockdowns in China. The posts claim the purported journalist attempted to exaggerate the severity of the lockdown in a Chinese city. The footage, however, is not a genuine CNN report: it was taken from a satirical video created by a Weibo user that mocked Western media reporting.
23 February 2021
More here.
780. US health authority has not established a link between Covid-19 vaccines and reported deaths
A Facebook post shared in South Africa alleges that the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines have “killed” hundreds of people in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But this claim is misleading; as of February 22, 2021, the US national public health institute said the reported deaths had “no link with vaccination”. The CDC considers both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines “safe and effective”.
22 February 2021
More here.
779. This photo shows a Sri Lankan minister being vaccinated for Covid-19, not a Sri Lankan shaman
A photo has been shared in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows a Sri Lankan ayurvedic practitioner being vaccinated for Covid-19 after he touted a false herbal cure for the disease. The claim is false: the image actually shows a senior Sri Lankan minister being vaccinated for Covid-19.
22 February 2021
More here.
778. The CDC did not illegally change mortality count rules, inflate Covid-19 toll
Articles shared thousands of times on Facebook claim the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) increased the Covid-19 death toll by 1,600 percent because they illegally altered rules for reporting mortality data. This is false; the CDC’s chief of mortality statistics said the claim “doesn’t have any validity,” and public health attorneys said the agency’s actions did not violate the law.
20 February 2021
More here.
777. Beware of fake websites claiming to give out Covid-19 aid on behalf of Nigeria's government
A website shared thousands of times on Facebook is inviting Nigerians to apply for financial help from a Covid-19 survival fund provided by the government of Africa’s most populous country. But AFP Fact Check found the site is a fraudulent version of the official state aid portal, which features the government’s web domain “gov.ng”.
19 February 2021
More here.
776. Miscarriage reports are not proof of Covid-19 vaccine danger to pregnancy
Social media posts warn of miscarriages following Covid-19 shots, citing data from a US government reporting system. But a causal link between the two has not been established: the reports are not proof that a vaccine caused a problem, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is currently no evidence of an increase in miscarriages after Covid-19 immunization.
18 February 2021
More here.
775. Fabricated news report falsely claims South Korea PM threatened to arrest people who refuse Covid-19 vaccination
A fabricated news report shared repeatedly on Facebook states South Korea's Prime Minister threatened to arrest citizens who refuse to receive a Covid-19 vaccination. The report, however, is not a genuine article from a South Korean media outlet. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Secretariat told AFP on February 17, 2021, that he made no such comments about Covid-19 vaccinations. The South Korean media outlet that was imitated in the Facebook posts said it did not publish the purported report.
17 February 2021
More here.
774. Misleading claim circulates on Facebook that only South Koreans have Covid-19 antibodies
Multiple Facebook posts circulating online in February 2021 claim that only people from South Korea have Covid-19 antibodies, citing a South Korean scientific study as evidence. The claim is misleading: according to one of the co-authors of the scientific study published in January 2021, researchers analysed coronavirus antibodies found in Covid-19 patients from the United States and South Korea.
17 February 2021
More here.
773. No evidence face mask use causes lung cancer
Social media posts and online articles claim face masks, recommended to help curb the spread of Covid-19, cause lung cancer. But medical experts say there is no scientific evidence proving a direct link between long-term mask use and cancer.
12 February 2021
More here.
772. Covid-19 did not spare US Amish communities
Facebook posts claim Amish religious communities have not been affected by the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. But the administrator of a Pennsylvania medical center that mainly treats Amish patients said they have experienced higher than average Covid-19 infection rates, US health authorities documented cases in an Amish community in Ohio, and there are first-hand accounts of the disease spreading in the Christian Anabaptist group.
12 February 2021
More here.
771. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones falsely claims Australia and France ditched coronavirus vaccination drives
A video of far-right broadcaster Alex Jones claiming that Australia and France have suspended Covid-19 vaccination campaigns because the jab “does not work” has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook in February 2021. The claim is misleading: as of February 11, 2021, Australia has not started its coronavirus vaccination campaign, while France has vaccinated more than 1.9 million people in its ongoing Covid-19 vaccination programme.
12 February 2021
More here.
770. US rapper Pitbull falsely claims Covid-19 pandemic was planned
In a video clip viewed hundreds of thousands of times on social media, US rapper Pitbull repeats the false assertion that the Covid-19 pandemic was planned.
11 February 2021
More here.
769. Misleading claim circulates that US medical journal endorsed hydroxychloroquine as Covid treatment
Facebook posts shared around the world, including by US conservative website Gateway Pundit and an Australian politician, claim the American Journal of Medicine endorsed hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 treatment. This is misleading; the journal published a study assessing the drug as a potential treatment for the disease, but this was not equivalent to recommending it, the editor-in-chief said.
11 February 2021
More here.
768. Anti-vaxxer messages circulate online in Sri Lanka as island nation prepares for coronavirus vaccination drive
As Sri Lanka prepared to kick off a mass coronavirus vaccination drive, messages circulated on Facebook urging people in the island nation to consume herbal remedies instead of taking the Covid-19 vaccine. The misleading claim was shared repeatedly in multiple posts. Medical experts told AFP that the purported remedies were not proven to prevent infection from Covid-19. They also emphasised that approved Covid-19 vaccines being offered in the country -- including the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines -- had passed rigorous clinical trials and were safe.
11 February 2021
More here.
767. Facebook posts falsely claim hydroxychloroquine can be homemade as treatment for Covid-19
Multiple Facebook posts shared in February 2021 claim police have detained discredited US researcher Judy Mikovits for "discovering evidence that deadly retroviruses are transmitted through vaccines". This is false: Mikovits has not been arrested in 2021. She was arrested and briefly jailed in 2011 for unlawfully taking data from her former employer, court documents show. The charges against her were dropped in 2012, according to US media reports. A 2009 study she co-authored on retroviruses did not focus on vaccines and was retracted. There are no credible reports that Mikovits has been detained in 2021.
9 February 2021
More here.
766. Facebook posts falsely report 'arrest' of discredited US researcher who featured in 'Plandemic' video
Multiple Facebook posts shared in February 2021 claim police have detained discredited US researcher Judy Mikovits for "discovering evidence that deadly retroviruses are transmitted through vaccines". This is false: Mikovits has not been arrested in 2021. She was arrested and briefly jailed in 2011 for unlawfully taking data from her former employer, court documents show. The charges against her were dropped in 2012, according to US media reports. A 2009 study she co-authored on retroviruses did not focus on vaccines and was retracted. There are no credible reports that Mikovits has been detained in 2021.
9 February 2021
More here.
765. Article misleads on Merck’s decision to drop Covid-19 vaccines
An article shared on social media claims US pharmaceutical company Merck discontinued Covid-19 vaccine research and said recovering from the virus would be more effective. This is inaccurate; the company said it scrapped its vaccine candidates because they did not offer the same level of protection as other shots and produced an immune response “inferior” to that of natural infection, while medical experts said immunization is the safer option.
8 February 2021
More here.
764. Social media posts falsely claim old video shows Covid-19 vaccine side effects
A video has been shared in multiple social media posts that claim it shows a girl suffering from severe side effects after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is false: the clip has circulated since at least 2015 in reports about a girl in Kazakhstan who was admitted to hospital after being vaccinated for measles.
8 February 2021
More here.
763. Social media posts mislead on reliability of Indonesia's Covid-19 breathalyser machines
A video circulating on Facebook claims that coronavirus breathalyser tests can provide a Covid-19 result within 10 seconds at a 99.9 percent accuracy rate. The claim is misleading: the technology, known as GeNose C 19, can test for the disease within 45 seconds and has a 95 percent accuracy rate, according to its developers. The Indonesian government has warned GeNose tests should not replace PCR swab tests.
5 February 2021
More here.
762. Doctor with expired license falsely claims masks don’t work
A YouTube video and social media posts claim a man blowing vape smoke through various face masks shows that they do not help prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is false; experts agree that while the virus itself is small enough to fit through mask fibers -- as is vape smoke -- masks do help stop the much-larger respiratory droplets that carry potentially infectious particles, and multiple studies have indicated that masks reduce transmission of the virus causing Covid-19.
6 February 2021
More here.
761. False social media posts claim WHO advised against wearing face masks in 2021, despite raging pandemic
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times in January 2021 claim the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new advice against wearing face masks during the coronavirus pandemic. The posts contain a screenshot of an article that purports to report on a WHO press conference held on January 22, 2021. The claim is false: as of February 4, 2021, the WHO recommends that people should wear face masks during the pandemic, as well as adhering to social distancing guidelines and washing their hands regularly. The screenshot in the misleading posts shows an article published on January 25, 2021 that was later updated to include the WHO's latest advice, outlining how wearing face masks can provide some protection from the coronavirus for the general population.
4 February 2021
More here.
760. Posts falsely claim face mask use harms children
A post spreading on social media claims that wearing face masks to help stop the spread of Covid-19 will cause children physical and psychological problems. But medical and psychological experts say the claims it makes about masks are false, and the post is part of a larger disinformation campaign.
3 February 2021
More here.
759. This video has circulated in reports since 2018 about a nurse trying to give a Chinese man an injection
A video of a man crying in fear while a nurse attempts to give him an injection has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts alongside a claim that it shows Thailand's health minister receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. The claim is false: the video has circulated in reports since February 2018 about a nurse trying to give a man in China an injection. In the clip, the nurse and the man can be heard speaking Mandarin.
2 February 2021
More here.
758. Clip from German TV programme circulates in misleading posts about coronavirus vaccines and Bill Gates
As countries around the world scramble to roll out vaccination campaigns, a video showing computer-generated images of people being implanted with microchips is circulating online alongside warnings that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates plans to "obtain total control" of the world through vaccination. This claim is misleading; the original clip is from a German TV report about coronavirus conspiracy theories. AFP has previously debunked similar claims about Gates and implants.
1 February 2021
More here.
757. Posts mischaracterize WHO advice on coronavirus testing equipment
Social media posts and online articles claim the World Health Organization admitted that PCR tests are resulting in widespread false positives for the virus that causes Covid-19, and asked laboratories to change the way they are conducted. But a January 2021 WHO notice only reminded labs to ensure testing equipment is properly calibrated, following reports of a small number of both false positive and negative results.
29 January 2021
More here.
757. There’s no scientific proof that a tonic of onions, ginger, garlic and lemon can cure Covid-19
A video shared thousands of times on Facebook claims that a tonic made of onions, ginger, garlic, lemon and hot water can cure Covid-19. This is false; health professionals, including those at the World Health Organization (WHO), have repeatedly refuted these claims.
29 January 2021
More here.
756. Pfizer’s CEO said he will get Covid-19 jab – when it’s his rightful turn
An extract from a TV interview with Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla is being shared online alongside the claim that the head of the pharmaceutical giant refused to take the Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by his company because “my type is not recommended”. This is misleading; Bourla only said he will not jump the queue to get the shot. He will wait until his age group is eligible; current government guidelines prioritize high-risk individuals and seniors.
29 January 2021
More here.
755. Video misleads on UK PM Boris Johnson’s comments about efficacy of Covid-19 testing
A video of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been viewed thousands of times in multiple social media posts that show him saying Covid-19 testing “only works in seven per cent of the cases”. The posts were shared with a caption that reads: “COVID tests 93% inaccurate”. The claim is misleading: Johnson was not commenting on the overall efficacy of Covid-19 testing. The video shows him quoting a government report that states Covid-19 testing for people coming into the UK detected just seven per cent of cases on the first test. The report stated that between 85 and 98 per cent of cases were detected if a second Covid-19 test was given to returned travellers during their quarantine period.
29 January 2021
More here.
754. Indonesian president’s Covid-19 jab remarks included in 2018 diphtheria vaccination video
A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times on TikTok, Facebook and YouTube purports to show hundreds of children falling sick after receiving Covid-19 vaccines in Indonesia. The claim is false; the footage actually shows students who fell ill following a diphtheria jab in 2018; the audio in the video has been edited to include Indonesian President Joko Widodo's remarks about Covid-19 vaccines.
29 January 2021
More here.
753. This video shows Indonesian students falling ill after being vaccinated for diphtheria in 2018
A video viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok purports to show people fainting after receiving Covid-19 vaccines in Indonesia. The claim is false: the video in fact shows students getting sick after receiving diphtheria vaccines in Indonesia’s Madura island in 2018.
29 January 2021
More here.
752. The US National Institutes of Health did not recommend ivermectin to treat Covid-19 patients
A Facebook post claiming the anti-parasite drug ivermectin has been “officially recommended” by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to treat Covid-19 in the US has been shared more than 100 times in South Africa. The claim is false; the NIH confirmed to AFP Fact Check that there is not yet enough data to “recommend either for or against the use of ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19” in the US. Furthermore, it is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that approves drugs in the US, not the NIH.
28 January 2021
More here.
751. Debunked claim of children dying in Guinea from Covid-19 vaccine resurfaces
A YouTube video shared hundreds of times has resurfaced with an old claim that two children in Guinea died after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. This is false; the video was based on a news report about Guinean children who fell ill in March 2019 after taking anti-parasite drugs. AFP Fact Check previously debunked this claim in May 2020, months before any Covid-19 vaccine contenders had been approved.
28 January 2021
More here.
750. Facebook users in South Korea share misleading advice outlining 'how to refuse' Covid-19 vaccinations
As South Korean lawmakers debate new legislation that would stipulate how Covid-19 vaccines should be administered in the country, some South Korean social media users shared posts which claimed citizens can refuse to be vaccinated based on two medical ethic codes. The claim, however, lacks important context: the two ethics codes — the Oath of Hippocrates and the Declaration of Geneva — do not relate to a patient’s rights and are not legally binding. The proposed Covid-19 vaccination bill in South Korea is set to include exemptions for people with "special circumstances", such as underlying diseases or allergies, according to a spokesperson for one lawmaker who proposed it.
28 January 2021
More here.
749. Hall of Famer Hank Aaron’s death unrelated to Covid-19 vaccination
Social media posts and an online article link Atlanta baseball legend Hank Aaron’s death to his Moderna Covid-19 vaccination, with some posts seeking to raise fears among Black people about the safety of vaccines against the disease. But the vaccines have been tested for safety, and a medical examiner as well as Morehouse School of Medicine, where Aaron was vaccinated, said his death was unrelated to the immunization.
27 January 2021
More here.
748. Fraudulent Facebook posts claim the World Bank is giving loans to small businesses in Africa
Facebook posts inviting small business owners impacted by Covid-19 in Africa to apply for loans from the World Bank through the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have been shared hundreds of times. But the claim is false; the World Bank confirmed to AFP Fact Check that the posts emanated from fraudulent accounts linked to cybercrime attacks targeting the institution.
27 January 2021
More here.
747. Social media posts misrepresent Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccinations in Germany
A screenshot of an article about the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine being administered in Germany has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts that emphasise ten people died after receiving a vaccine dose. The posts present the vaccine drive in a misleading context: multiple medical experts have said the current evidence indicates the deaths were not directly linked to the vaccines. As of January 27, 2021, scientists say there is no evidence that links the deaths with Covid-19 vaccines.
27 January 2021
More here.
746. Sri Lankan social media users share misleading posts about cremations of Covid-19 fatalities in US
Multiple Facebook posts shared by Sri Lankan social media users in January 2021 claim that California's Los Angeles County suspended cremations for people who have died after contracting Covid-19. The posts circulated online after the Sri Lankan government faced criticism for mandating cremations for Covid-19 fatalities, rejecting calls to allow the Muslim minority to bury their dead in line with Islamic custom. The claim is misleading: the posts refer to a CNN article that accurately stated a cremation limit in Los Angeles County was in fact temporarily suspended due to a "backlog" of bodies.
26 January 2021
More here.
745. Indian ruling party members amplify false claim that 'Indian Muslim cleric warned of vaccine microchip conspiracy'
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook and YouTube posts that claim it shows an Indian Muslim cleric talking about a mind-controlling microchip injected through Covid-19 vaccinations. The video was promoted online by official spokesmen for India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who mocked the cleric in their tweets. The claim that the man speaking in the video is an Indian Muslim cleric, however, is false: the video has circulated in reports about a cleric in Pakistan. Health experts have refuted the cleric's suggestions about Covid-19 vaccines.
22 January 2021
More here.
744. Social media posts mislead on Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations in Norway
Multiple Facebook posts shared repeatedly in January 2021 claim 23 people are “dead from” the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine in Norway. The claim is misleading: as of January 22, 2021, health authorities in Norway have said there was no direct causal link between the deaths and the Covid-19 vaccinations.
22 January 2021
More here.
743. False claim that Covid-19 is not real misattributed to US professor
Social media posts and an online article claim a Cornell University professor said seven university labs are suing US health authorities for fraud after determining that Covid-19 does not exist. This is false; Covid-19 is a contagious disease that has killed more than two million people worldwide, Professor Robert Oswald described the comments attributed to him as a “fabrication,” and the universities identified by name said they are not involved in such a lawsuit.
21 January 2021
More here.
742. These photos show a doctor in Yemen offering free services from his car during the pandemic
Two images have been shared alongside a claim that they show a doctor in Pakistan offering free treatment to those in need. The photos appear to show a message in Urdu advertising the free services on the back of his car. The images, however, have been altered; the photos in fact show a doctor in Yemen and the original message on the car is in Arabic.
21 January 2021
More here.
741. This video actually shows a simulation exercise in Indonesia, not a real Covid-19 vaccination
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times after being posted on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok alongside a claim that it shows a man fainting after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine in Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara province. The claim is false: the footage actually shows a vaccine simulation exercise in East Nusa Tenggara province; a government official said that the exercise included "a simulation on how to handle a person who suddenly faints".
21 January 2021
More here.
740. False Facebook posts claim WHO ranked Sri Lanka 'fifth best country for Covid-19 pandemic response'
Multiple Facebook posts claim the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Sri Lanka fifth in a table of countries' responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false: the WHO said it had not created any such ranking system.
21 January 2021
More here.
739. Discredited US naturopath makes false claims about Gates
A 2019 video has resurfaced in South Africa with claims by a discredited US naturopath that billionaire Bill Gates said the world should be depopulated of billions of people, starting in Africa. However, there is no public record of Gates making these remarks. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Microsoft founder -- who has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the fight against the novel coronavirus -- has been the target of many false or misleading allegations, including about forced population control. His foundation has repeatedly refuted these claims, which have also been debunked by AFP Fact Check.
19 January 2021
More here.
738. Footage of movie props and flu shot clips used to falsely claim world leaders' Covid-19 vaccines were 'staged'
A video has been viewed thousands of times in Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts that claim it shows a man explaining how retractable syringes are used to stage the Covid-19 vaccinations of world leaders. The claim is false: the footage of a retractable syringe has been taken from the TikTok account of a movie prop master. Two of the other clips used in the misleading video actually show public figures getting flu vaccines in 2019.
19 January 2021
More here.
737. Doctored news graphic falsely claims Filipino official branded poor people a ‘burden’ in coronavirus vaccination drive
A photo repeatedly shared on Facebook purports to show a news graphic containing genuine remarks by a Philippine presidential spokesperson that poor people are a “burden” on the government's coronavirus vaccination efforts. The claim is false: the purported graphic has been doctored to add the fabricated remarks about the poor.
18 January 2021
More here.
736. Social media posts mislead on South Korean coronavirus vaccine
Social media posts claim the South Korean government will provide all citizens with a free Covid-19 vaccine made by pharmaceutical giant Celltrion. The claim is false; Celltrion told AFP that it is not developing or producing a Covid-19 vaccine and has no plans to do so.
15 January 2021
More here.
735. Anti-parasite medication ivermectin is not a scientifically proven treatment for Covid-19
As Covid-19 vaccination campaigns roll out across the world, posts circulating on social media in several countries claim that anti-parasite medication ivermectin is a “miracle drug” that cures the disease. This is misleading: as of January 14, 2021, the drug has not been scientifically proven as a prevention or treatment for Covid-19. Several scientists told AFP it should not be touted as a “cure” or “miracle drug”.
15 January 2021
More here.
734. False social media posts purport to share coronavirus 'cure' from Thai hospital dean
A video has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows the dean of Thailand’s Siriraj Hospital recommending certain treatments for Covid-19, including taking "3,000-5,000 mg" of vitamin C each day. The claim is false; the man in the misleading footage is not Siriraj hospital’s dean. Health experts warn against following the purported advice in the video.
15 January 2021
More here.
733. Image of hoax poster from Irish health service circulates online as Covid-19 cases soar
As coronavirus cases surge in Ireland, a picture of a poster that appears to be from the national health service asking people to report their neighbours for not wearing a mask has been circulating on Facebook around the world. The image is a hoax; the poster lists an old fax number for the Irish Times newspaper and Ireland’s Health Services said they did not issue it.
15 January 2021
More here.
732. South African newspaper clarifies it used photo of British woman receiving Covid-19 vaccine in satirical article
Screenshots of two news reports have been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts that claim they show a woman receiving a Covid-19 vaccine in the UK and South Africa. The posts suggest the image has been staged by the media to mislead the public about the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false: the British woman pictured in the posts received a Covid-19 vaccine in England in December 2020, according to a Getty Images photo. The other screenshot in the posts shows a satirical article from a South African newspaper about a woman receiving the vaccine in the South African town of Ventersdorp that was “not meant to be interpreted literally", its editor-in-chief told AFP.
13 January 2021
More here.
731. Non-medical masks can offer some protection against Covid-19, scientists say
As Covid-19 cases surge in Thailand, claims that non-medical masks are ineffective in preventing the spread of the disease are circulating online. This is misleading: scientists told AFP that these masks offer some form of protection. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend non-medical or fabric masks for the general public.
12 January 2021
More here.
730. Researcher’s speech used to mislead about Covid-19 vaccine safety
A speech by a biomedical researcher stating that 21 percent of patients from the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine trial have experienced “serious adverse events” has been shared thousands of times on social media. But he is referencing data from phase 1 of the vaccine trial, in which researchers did not identify “trial-limiting safety concerns,” and only 0.5 percent of vaccine recipients reported serious reactions in the phase 3 trial, which involved thousands of people.
12 January 2021
More here.
729. This video of Indonesian officials dancing was taken before the country detected its first Covid-19 case
A video viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook purports to show Indonesia’s top officials “dancing without obeying health protocols” during the pandemic. The claim is false; the video was filmed in January 2020, weeks before Indonesia announced its first Covid-19 case.
11 January 2021
More here.
728. Potassium chloride in Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is not dangerous
Social media posts claim the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is “poison” because it contains potassium chloride -- a chemical also used to stop the heart during a process of lethal injection. The claim is false; the coronavirus vaccine was tested for safety in clinical trials, and medical experts say the minimal amount of potassium chloride used in the shot will not harm recipients.
8 January 2021
More here.
727. Article headline misleads on study into Covid-19 asymptomatic transmission
A screenshot of an article headline reporting that a study showed that asymptomatic transmission of Covid-19 “didn’t occur at all” has been shared in multiple Facebook and Instagram posts. The claim is misleading; the authors of the study said their results do not show that asymptomatic carriers cannot transmit Covid-19 and warned against generalising the study’s findings.
8 January 2021
More here.
726. South Korean officials set to investigate nasal dilator over unproven Covid-19 prevention claim
Multiple posts circulating on South Korean social media advertise a nasal dilator that can "prevent and kill" Covid-19. However, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it was planning to investigate the product, which is certified to protect against bacteria, not viruses.
8 January 2021
More here.
725. This video shows Thai king and queen attending a Koran recitation competition
A footage has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows the king of Thailand summoned Muslim clerics to pray to get rid of Covid-19. The claim is false; the video shows Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida presiding over the annual Koran recitation competition in 2020.
8 January 2021
More here.
724. This video shows people in a coronavirus quarantine centre in Malaysia, not Thailand
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook that claims it shows Covid-19 patients in a Thai field hospital after a coronavirus outbreak in the Thai province of Samut Sakhon in December 2020. The claim is false; the video shows a Covid-19 quarantine centre for migrants in the Malaysian state of Pahang.
6 January 2020
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723. Doctored video shared alongside false claim that Filipino official 'beat man for violating coronavirus restrictions'
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and blog posts alongside a claim it shows a Filipino official beating a man after he violated coronavirus restrictions. The claim is false: the clip has been doctored to include a Tagalog-language audio track. The original video has circulated in unrelated reports about police violence in Colombia.
5 January 2021
More here.
722. This video circulated online in 2019 in reports about Indian celebrities celebrating a Hindu festival
Footage of celebrities and politicians attending an event at the home of an Indian billionaire has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts in December 2020 alongside a claim that the gathering breached social distancing regulations during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video and similar footage has circulated since September 2019 in reports about celebrities attending a Hindu festival celebration.
29 December 2020
More here.
721. Old photo of South Korean president’s son shared alongside misleading mask claim
A photo of South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s son has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook in December 2020 alongside a claim that it shows him violating social distancing measures by attending an art exhibition without wearing a mask. The photo has been shared in a misleading context: the image was taken in October 2020 at a press event for an art gallery where wearing masks was not mandatory, according to the South Korean health ministry’s guidelines at that time.
29 December 2020
More here.
720. This video shares a misleading claim from an Austrian politician that 'Coca-Cola tested positive for Covid-19'
A video of an Austrian politician purporting to show that a glass of Coca-Cola tested positive for Covid-19 in a rapid antigen test has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The posts suggest the video is evidence that the tests are unreliable at detecting Covid-19. The claim is misleading; experts told AFP the test carried out by the politician in the clip was not performed correctly. In response to the misleading claim, the manufacturer of the rapid antigen test said the same test actually returned a negative result for Coca-Cola when performed correctly.
28 December 2020
More here.
719. This photo has circulated online since 2019 in reports about gun violence -- it does not relate to the coronavirus pandemic
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts that claim it shows a television report about violence breaking out at a US hospital after patients were vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. The claim is false: the photo in the purported report has circulated online since February 2019 in reports about US gun violence, one year before the coronavirus pandemic. The image has been manipulated for comedic effect to include a false chyron and has been shared on joke websites.
24 December 2020
More here.
718. Tweets on US stimulus misrepresent Canada's Covid-19 aid
A tweet claiming Canadians were given $2,000 a month by the government during the Covid-19 pandemic was shared across social media in posts criticizing the US Congress for backing a one-time $600 stimulus payment for most Americans. But the tweet misrepresents the relief available in Canada, where most financial support was reserved for individuals who lost their jobs due to the public health crisis.
23 December 2020
More here.
717. Pelosi, Pence did not fake Covid-19 vaccinations using capped needles
Social media posts claim US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and US Vice President Mike Pence pretended to receive Covid-19 vaccines using syringes that had caps over the needles. This is false; images of the two politicians being vaccinated show that the needles were uncovered when the shots were administered.
23 December 2020
More here.
716. Needle not capped when Pence received Covid-19 vaccine
Social media posts claim US Vice President Mike Pence faked receiving a Covid-19 vaccine using a syringe that had the needle covered by a cap. This is false; an image of Pence being vaccinated shows that the needle was exposed.
23 December 2020
More here.
715. Canadian doctor’s open letter about Covid-19 contains false claims
An open letter to Alberta’s premier by former heart surgeon Dennis L Modry has been shared on social media as the Canadian province enacted stricter measures aimed at curbing the Covid-19 pandemic. But medical experts say several claims in the letter are false or unproven, and Modry is not currently licensed to practice, according to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.
22 December 2020
More here.
714. AFP photo of 2018 World Cup celebrations shared online alongside false claim about Covid-19 protest in Paris
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows a major protest in Paris against coronavirus restrictions in December 2020. The claim is false; the image, taken by an AFP photographer, actually shows celebrations in Paris following France’s World Cup win in 2018.
22 December 2020
More here.
713. Nurse’s collapse does not mean Covid-19 vaccines are unsafe
Social media posts say a nurse collapsed after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine, seeking to raise doubts about its safety. But the nurse has a history of passing out, and a doctor said there is no reason to believe the vaccine itself was responsible.
21 December 2020
More here.
712. Social media posts share false claim that South Korea’s Covid-19 frontline workers are paid $13 daily wage
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook claim that South Korean frontline health workers are paid US $13.35 (14,600 South Korean won) per day during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; South Korea's Health Ministry told AFP that the figure is a subsidy paid to frontline workers, not their total wage.
21 December 2020
More here.
711. Social media posts inaccurately compare Covid-19 vaccines to 1950s-era drug
Social media posts warn of rapidly developed pharmaceuticals such as the Covid-19 vaccines by citing thalidomide, a sedative from the 1950s that caused serious birth defects. But the US regulator responsible for approving drugs did not accept thalidomide at the time, regulations have been considerably tightened since, and Covid-19 vaccines are the result of extensive research and were subject to clinical trials and independent review.
18 December 2020
More here.
710. US medical association did not change stance on hydroxychloroquine as Covid-19 treatment
American conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh claims the American Medical Association (AMA) admitted it “lied” about hydroxychloroquine and rescinded a recommendation against using it to treat Covid-19. This is false; the AMA said it stands by its previous position -- which was not a blanket advisory against using the drug for that purpose -- and its original statement on the issue still appears on the organization’s website.
17 December 2020
More here.
709. US medical association did not change stance on hydroxychloroquine as Covid-19 treatment
American conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh claims the American Medical Association (AMA) admitted it “lied” about hydroxychloroquine and rescinded a recommendation against using it to treat Covid-19. This is false; the AMA said it stands by its previous position -- which was not a blanket advisory against using the drug for that purpose -- and its original statement on the issue still appears on the organization’s website.
17 December 2020
More here.
708. Video makes misleading claims about Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine trial
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on YouTube and Facebook alongside a claim that two people died during trials for Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine, according to US government records. The claim is misleading; the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) document referred to in the posts states that while six participants died during the trials, investigators found none of the deaths were related to the vaccine.
15 December 2020
More here.
707. This image shows a satirical article about the Pope and the Covid-19 vaccine
An image has been circulated on social media that purports to show a genuine news article about Pope Francis announcing that people must receive the Covid-19 vaccine in order to enter heaven. The posts, shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts, criticise the Pope's alleged comments. But the image in the posts is actually a screenshot of a satirical article; as of December 9, 2020 there are no credible reports of Pope Francis making such a statement.
9 December 2020
More here.
706. Online posts minimize Covid-19’s deadly impact in US
Social media posts downplay the impact of the coronavirus pandemic by comparing a partial 2020 US death toll with higher numbers from previous years. But the 2020 statistics cited in the posts are not the final figures, and Covid-19 has killed more than 285,000 people in the country this year.
8 December 2020
More here.
705. These ‘anti-virus’ cards are ineffective in preventing Covid-19 infection, experts say
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook purport to show a “virus removal card” that can prevent infection from Covid-19 when worn around the neck. The claim is misleading; scientists told AFP that the cards are not effective in protecting the wearer from Covid-19.
8 December 2020
More here.
704. This video shows a procession for a politician shot dead in Mumbai
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts which claim it shows a large funeral procession in Gujarat for an Indian politician who died after contracting Covid-19. The claim is false; the video actually shows a procession for an Indian politician in the Indian state of Maharashtra after he was shot dead in November 2020.
7 December 2020
More here.
703. These photos of coffins have been doctored to include Sri Lankan opposition party symbols
Two photos have been shared repeatedly on Facebook alongside a claim they show coffins donated by a Sri Lankan opposition party for victims of the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the photos have been manipulated to include Sri Lankan opposition party symbols on the coffins; a spokesperson for the party denied it had made such a donation.
4 December 2020
More here.
702. This is not a genuine newspaper article about a Sri Lankan opposition leader
A purported screenshot of a Sinhala-language newspaper has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows a quote from a Sri Lankan opposition leader, stating he has no faith in an alleged traditional medicine “cure” for Covid-19. The posts circulated online shortly after a Sri Lankan doctor of traditional medicine said he had found a “cure” for Covid-19. However, the claim is misleading; AFP could not locate the purported article in the newspaper’s archives, and a spokesperson for the newspaper said the purported article was doctored. As of December 3, 2020, there is no universally recognised “cure” for Covid-19.
4 December 2020
More here.
701. Retired Italian doctor’s false claims about Covid-19 tests and vaccines circulate globally online
A viral video of a retired Italian doctor making several false claims about Covid-19 has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple languages on Facebook. The false claims include; PCR tests are ineffective at detecting the virus; and vaccines can “weaken” someone’s immune system. The claims are false according to experts, who say PCR tests are “sensitive and accurate” and the vaccine has not been shown to lead to a weakened immune system.
3 December 2020
More here.
700. Korean social media posts share misleading claim about China-made coronavirus vaccines after Chinese foreign minister's visit
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook claim that South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced the country had procured enough doses of China-made Covid-19 vaccines to vaccinate 45 million people. The posts, which circulated online in late November 2020, allege the agreement is a direct result of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s state visit to Seoul last month. The claim is misleading; official South Korean government records of bilateral meetings held with Wang make no reference to vaccines; as of December 3, 2020, there are no credible media or government reports that say South Korea has acquired China-made vaccines following Wang’s visit.
3 December 2020
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699. These photos show people being vaccinated against diphtheria in Peru
A collage of three photos has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook alongside a claim that it shows Peruvian authorities administering "forced" vaccinations. The images circulated online in November 2020, as countries around the world raced to procure Covid-19 vaccines. The claim is false; the photos show doctors, accompanied by military personnel, vaccinating people against diphtheria in Peru.
3 December 2020
More here.
698. This photo shows an Indian politician celebrating Diwali in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic
A photo of an Indian politician celebrating Diwali with lit sparklers has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows him flouting coronavirus restrictions in November 2020. The claim is false; the photo in fact shows the politician celebrating Diwali in October 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic.
1 December 2020
More here.
697. Experts refute false claim that Covid-19 vaccine can 'manipulate' human genes
A claim that a vaccine “stored at -80 degrees isn’t a vaccine” and is instead a “living transfection agent” that will cause “genetic manipulation” has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. The claim is false; multiple experts say the Covid-19 vaccine that requires storage at extremely cold temperatures cannot alter human genomes.
1 December 2020
More here.
696. Canadian doctor falsely claims pandemic is a ‘hoax’
Facebook posts of a doctor calling the Covid-19 pandemic a “hoax” in remarks to the Edmonton City Council have been shared thousands of times since November 13, 2020. Contrary to accepted medical advice, Roger Hodkinson falsely claimed masks and social distancing are useless, in remarks refuted by Canadian authorities and medical experts.
30 November 2020
More here.
695. Stock photo of actors posing as medical workers shared in misleading Facebook posts promoting coronavirus pandemic denial
A stock photo of two actors posing as medical workers while carrying a fake body bag has been shared hundreds of times in misleading Facebook posts which promote coronavirus pandemic denial. The original photo agency that licensed the image clearly labelled it as a staged photo.
30 November 2020
More here.
694. Bill Gates was talking about side effects and did not say 700,000 people would be killed or permanently disabled by a Covid-19 vaccine
An article shared thousands of times on Facebook claimed that Microsoft founder Bill Gates said there will be 700,000 “victims” of death or disability from a Covid-19 vaccine. This claim is misleading; in an interview earlier this year, Gates said the side effects of a vaccine potentially could affect up to 700,000 people. But at no point did he say these side effects would be fatal or cause permanent damage.
27 November 2020
More here.
693. Misleading viral posts shared in Myanmar warn of 'Zombie deer virus' outbreak after Covid-19 spike
Multiple Facebook posts shared in Myanmar claim that health experts have expressed “great concern” over a “Zombie deer virus” which they claim is “scarier than the coronavirus” and can spread among deer. The posts, which circulated online weeks after a spike in coronavirus cases in Myanmar, go on to claim the virus affects brain activity in the infected deer, increasing the animal's “desire to attack [humans]” and to “suck blood”. The claim is misleading; experts say there is no such virus that causes deer to “attack” or “suck blood”; as of November 2020, there are no reports of animal to human transmission of neurological diseases affecting deer, including chronic wasting disease (CWD).
27 November 2020
More here.
692. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa didn't tell world leaders Covid-19 vaccines will be mandatory
Posts shared on Facebook claim that South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa told a G20 meeting that a Covid-19 vaccine would be mandatory and “everyone will have” it. This is false; Ramaphosa was actually asking leaders to ensure that all countries would have access to the new vaccines once they become available.
26 November 2020
More here.
691. The UAE’s temporary suspension of visas for Pakistanis is due to Covid-19, Pakistan says
Multiple TikTok and YouTube videos viewed thousands of times claim the United Arab Emirates stopped issuing visas for Pakistanis and other nationals of Muslim countries because of their continued refusal to recognise the state of Israel. The claim, however, is misleading; the UAE’s suspension of visitor visas from 12 countries, including Pakistan, in mid-November 2020 was because of their high rates of Covid-19, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister.
25 November 2020
More here.
690. Photo of Biden at a party is pre-pandemic
Online users accused president-elect Joe Biden of hypocrisy after Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms tweeted a video of them unmasked at an indoor party for his birthday. This is misleading; the video was shot at Biden’s birthday in 2019, before the pandemic. The former vice-president is known to always wear a mask in public, and for urging the country to mask-up.
24 November 2020
More here.
689. Hoax circulates online that Afghanistan announced $30 million Covid-19 aid package for Pakistan
An image of a purported news report by a Pakistani broadcaster has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter in November 2020 alongside a claim that Afghanistan announced a $30 million aid package for Pakistan to support the country during the Covid-19 pandemic. The claim is false; the Pakistani broadcaster whose logo was shown in the posts told AFP it had not aired the purported segment; the Pakistani government also said the claim was “fake news”.
24 November 2020
More here.
688. This video has circulated in reports since 2018 about a crowded railway station in West Bengal
A video that shows a huge crowd on a railway station platform has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter that claim the scene was filmed in the Indian city of Kolkata in November 2020. The posts claim train passengers breached social distancing guidelines following the resumption of local railway services. The claim is false; the video has circulated online since September 2018 in reports about police exam candidates at a train station in the northeastern Indian state of West Bengal.
23 November 2020
More here.
687. Scientists warn against over-the-counter coronavirus ‘cures’
As vaccine trials show promising results that could eventually suppress coronavirus infections across the globe, social media posts are claiming that over-the-counter products such as vitamins and tonic water are the key to tackling the pandemic. The touting of unproven “cures” has been a feature since the start of the coronavirus crisis, but nothing has changed over time regarding their effectiveness and scientists stress none of the mentioned products have been effective in treating Covid-19.
20 November 2020
More here.
686. Claims of pandemic spike in suicides are not backed by data
Posts spread by celebrities and liked about 250,000 times on Instagram claim suicides have risen 200 percent since pandemic-linked lockdowns in America began. This is false; there is no data to support such a statement, the timing of which coincides with new restrictions against record coronavirus cases as the US enters winter.
20 November 2020
More here.
685. Scam alert: Africa’s richest man is not running a Facebook giveaway for youths affected by Covid-19
Widely-shared posts on Facebook claim that Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is giving away money, food and other assistance to 10,000 youths who have lost loved ones to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is misleading; the Nigerian billionaire has committed hundreds of millions of naira to help Nigerians recover from the health and economic effects of Covid-19, but he is not running a giveaway on Facebook.
18 November 2020
More here.
684. Report falsely claims that US health protection agency ‘admits’ Covid-19 does not exist
A photo of an article reporting that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “admits there is no Covid-19” has been shared in multiple Facebook posts. The report cites an agency document which explains how a virus test works as its source. The claim is false: a US pathology expert said the CDC document was misinterpreted, stating that “there is no question” Covid-19 exists.
17 November 2020
More here.
683. Pfizer’s role in Operation Warp Speed misconstrued online
News of promising results from a coronavirus vaccine developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer sparked misinformation about the company’s role in the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed, an effort to deliver a Covid-19 shot nationwide. While Pfizer benefited from the government's vaccine fund, this was to supply and distribute the vaccine, not to develop it.
14 November 2020
More here.
682. This photo shows a mother who tested positive for Covid-19 in Myanmar, according to photographer
A photo that shows a health worker carrying a baby while a tearful woman looks on has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts that suggest it shows the separation of a mother from her baby in Sri Lanka. The claim, however, is misleading; the photo in fact shows a mother in Myanmar who tested postive for Covid-19, according to the photographer and a local health worker.
13 November 2020
More here.
681. This photo has circulated online in Facebook posts about Sri Lanka since March 2020
An image of two lorries transporting coffins has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows preparations for Sri Lanka’s second wave of coronavirus cases in November 2020. The claim is misleading; the photo has been circulating online since at least March 2020.
13 November 2020
More here.
680. This video has circulated in reports about a woman arrested for allegedly assaulting a stranger in Singapore
A video that shows police detaining a woman on a street has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and online forums alongside a claim she was arrested for not wearing a mask during the coronavirus pandemic in Singapore. The video, however, has been shared in a misleading context; it has circulated online in reports since October 2020 about a woman who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a stranger in Singapore.
13 November 2020
More here.
679. Misleading claim circulates in Burmese about WHO ‘designating’ Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine as official inoculation
A Burmese-language blog post, which has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, claims that the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the Russian Covid-19 vaccine as the official inoculation against the coronavirus. The claim is misleading: the WHO has not designated any Covid-19 vaccine.
11 November 2020
More here.
678. Mystery Covid-19 test result rumor fuels claims Canada figures inflated
A Facebook post describing a person in Canada who was allegedly diagnosed with Covid-19 after cancelling a swab appointment is circulating online amid claims that the number of infections is inflated. The Alberta government said any such situation, if they occur, should be reported to the province for investigation, and an expert said the government is likely undercounting Covid-19 cases.
6 November 2020
More here.
677. This video shows a scene from a Mexican television drama that aired in 2010
A video of a couple together in hospital has been shared in multiple Facebook, YouTube and TikTok posts alongside a claim that the individuals are Italian Covid-19 victims. This is false; the video in fact shows a scene from a Mexican television drama that aired in 2010.
5 November 2020
More here.
676. This photo was taken as part of a themed photoshoot in India
A photo purporting to show exhausted health workers in full personal protective equipment has been shared multiple times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows overworked frontline workers in Sri Lanka “at this point in time”. However, the claim is false; the photo was actually taken in the southern Indian state of Kerala as part of a themed photoshoot.
5 November 2020
More here.
675. WHO head did not say he tested positive for Covid-19, only that he was quarantining after a contact tested positive
Reports in Nigerian media claiming that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) director-general said he had tested positive for Covid-19 were shared in multiple social media posts in the country. However, it is not what Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus actually said, as the article itself goes on to explain: He tweeted that he was identified as a contact person of someone who had tested positive -- not that he had tested positive himself. The WHO also refuted the claim.
2 November 2020
More here.
674. Facebook posts make misleading claim that 220,000 coronavirus fatalities in US were caused by other medical conditions
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 220,000 people who were recorded as dying from Covid-19 actually died from other medical conditions. The CDC data referenced in the posts has been presented in a misleading context; the data shows medical conditions that may have contributed to the deaths of people infected with Covid-19, as well as co-morbidities such as pneumonia that were caused by Covid-19.
29 October 2020
More here.
673. Flu and Covid-19 tracked separately in Canada
Facebook and Instagram posts in Canada are sharing a chart showing only six reported cases of the flu for this season alongside claims that the government is falsely passing off flu cases as Covid-19. The claims are false; influenza and Covid-19 are tested, tracked and reported separately by the provinces and territories, and public health measures against the novel coronavirus have also contributed to fewer flu cases than usual.
28 October 2020
More here.
672. Experts say wearing face masks does not cause neurological damage
Posts based on a video by a German neurologist have been shared thousands of times on Facebook making several claims about the alleged dangers of wearing face masks, notably that rebreathing oxygen in the mask leads to neurological damage. According to experts, this is false, since these masks allow fresh air to pass through and oxygen to be inhaled.
26 October 2020
More here.
671. Hoax circulates online that Sri Lankan opposition party offered quarantine facilities in coronavirus hotspots
Multiple Facebook posts shared repeatedly in October 2020 claim that a Sri Lankan opposition party offered quarantine facilities and financial support for those infected with the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; on October 20, 2020, a spokesperson for the party told AFP it had made no such announcement.
26 October 2020
More here.
670. Bacterial pneumonia, a complication of influenza, not linked to mask wearing
A claim posted on Twitter says that most deaths in the 1918 influenza pandemic originated from bacterial pneumonia caused by face masks and that Dr Anthony Fauci, the US government’s top expert in the fight against Covid-19, knew about it. This is false; the 2008 study referred to in the tweet, and which Fauci co-authored, aimed to help plan for future pandemics and made no link to mask-wearing.
23 October 2020
More here.
669. False claim circulates online that British research company Ipsos MORI derives its name from Latin for ‘they die’
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times claim that Ipsos MORI, a British market research company investigating novel coronavirus testing in the UK, derives its name from a Latin phrase that translates as "they die". The posts suggest the translation reveals the company’s “motives” during the pandemic. The claim is false: the company’s name derives from two other companies which merged in 2005, 15 years before the pandemic was declared.
22 October 2020
More here.
668. This satirical video was made in 2020 using old black and white movie clips
A video supposedly made in 1956 that warns of a deadly virus that will spread from “somewhere in Asia to the rest of the world” by “the year 2020” has been shared on Facebook thousands of times alongside a claim it accurately predicted the Covid-19 pandemic. The claim is false; the video creator told AFP it was made in 2020 for satire, in response to Covid-19 misinformation.
22 October 2020
More here.
667. ‘Leak’ of Canada lockdown plans is fake
An alleged leak from a Liberal Party of Canada member about a government coronavirus “road map,” including restriction of movement and military deployment, has been shared thousands of times on Facebook. The posts are false; the Liberal Party confirmed that the “Strategic Committee” referenced in the posts does not exist, and an expert on disinformation cautioned that this kind of information should be met with skepticism.
22 October 2020
More here.
666. Facebook posts promote false conspiracy that coronavirus testing patent was submitted in 2015
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim that a person named Richard A. Rothschild filed a patent for novel coronavirus tests in 2015. The claim is false; the image shows a supplemental application that was filed in 2020 following the submission of another patent application in 2015 that was not related to the coronavirus; a spokesperson for the financial services firm Rothschild & Co. said the patent’s applicant had no link to the company.
21 October 2020
More here.
665. Misleading claim circulates online that suspected coronavirus patients fled bus after road accident in Sri Lanka
A photo has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts and in an online article alongside a claim it shows suspected coronavirus patients fleeing a quarantine centre-bound bus after a road accident in Sri Lanka. The claim, however, is misleading; law enforcement and health officials said no one left the vehicle after the accident on October 9, 2020 and all passengers were transported to the quarantine centre.
20 October 2020
More here.
664. Misleading description of Canada’s quarantine sites feeds Covid-19 conspiracy
After an Ontario politician condemned the Canadian federal government’s Covid-19 quarantine sites as “internment camps,” social media posts suggested that these sites would eventually be used to jail Canadians. This is false; the sites are facilities rented by the federal government for travellers who have no alternative for mandatory quarantine, Health Canada told AFP.
16 October 2020
More here.
663. New hoax shared in Sri Lanka suggests WHO approved water, salt and vinegar remedy for coronavirus
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Instagram and Facebook in Sri Lanka claim that drinking lots of water or gargling warm water mixed with salt and vinegar can prevent novel coronavirus infection. The claim was shared alongside an image that shows a World Health Organization (WHO) logo. The claim is false; no international health body, including the WHO, has issued such guidance about Covid-19.
15 October 2020
More here.
662. WHO did not say Bill Gates adds sterilisation formula to vaccines
Multiple social media posts make a string of false and unsubstantiated claims about vaccine campaigns funded by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, including that he has been adding a 'sterilization formula' to vaccines for the past decade. AFP Fact Check debunks the main claims making the rounds.
14 October 2020
More here.
661. Doctored photo telling Africans to avoid Covid-19 vaccine circulates online
A photo showing a doctor holding up a sign has been making rounds on social networks with claims he is urging Africans to refuse the Covid-19 vaccine. This is false; the image was doctored and the original photo shows a medic holding a sign asking people to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus. There is currently no Covid-19 vaccine.
12 October 2020
More here.
660. Misleading claim circulates online about infection fatality ratio of Covid-19 in the US
Multiple Facebook and Instagram posts have shared a screenshot of a Fox News graphic that purports to show infection fatality ratios in the United States for the novel coronavirus, based on various age groups. The graphic was shared alongside a claim that there was "never a pandemic". The graphic, however, is not accurate and has been shared in a misleading context; Fox News said the figures were “shown in error” on air as percentages rather than ratios; a health metrics expert said the values aired by Fox News are not accurate.
8 October 2020
More here.
659. Patients are not getting coronavirus from the flu shot
Instagram posts claim that the influenza vaccine will give patients the coronavirus. This is false; the chart provided as evidence is from a study which did not find that the flu shot is spreading the deadly virus, and Immunize Canada and the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) said larger, multiseason studies found no evidence that the vaccine increases coronavirus risk.
8 October 2020
More here.
658. Misinformation targets New Jersey flu vaccine mandate plan
Instagram posts opposing a proposed New Jersey law to mandate the influenza vaccine for students claim that the immunization raises one’s risk of coronavirus infection. Large studies in the US and Canada found no evidence that flu shots increase the odds of contracting a coronavirus, and public health agencies recommend the inoculation to help prevent serious illness, as well as to avoid additional burdens on health care systems during the Covid-19 pandemic.
7 October 2020
More here.
657. Image of 'bacteria growth from face mask' is misleading, microbiologists say
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Instagram posts that claim it shows bacteria growth that was collected from a face mask after a person wore it for just 20 minutes. The claim is misleading; microbiologists told AFP that the growth seen in the petri dish had likely "been incubating for a long time" and shows other microbes, not just bacteria from a face mask.
6 October 2020
More here.
656. Video of South African bikers falsely shared as footage of prayer for Trump’s health
A video showing hundreds of bikers, apparently gathered in prayer for Donald Trump, was shared tens of thousands of times on social media -- including by a campaign staffer -- after the US president was hospitalized for Covid-19. This is false; the footage was taken in South Africa, not the United States, more than a month earlier, and the bikers were protesting farm murders.
6 October 2020
More here.
655. False claim circulates on Facebook in Myanmar that chewing betel quid can prevent Covid-19 infection
Multiple Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times claim that chewing betel quids can prevent infection from the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease Covid-19. The claim is false, health experts say; representatives for Myanmar’s Ministry of Health and Sport and the European Food Safety Authority both separately told AFP that the claim was not true.
2 October 2020
More here.
654. Alberta’s health laws used to make misleading claims about mandatory vaccination during Covid-19 pandemic
Posts shared more than 10,000 times in Canada have claimed that recent changes to Alberta's health statutes will bring in forced medical isolation and vaccination. This is misleading; giving power to medical officers to prevent the spread of communicable diseases is not new, according to a legal expert, and Alberta’s premier, health minister and chief medical officer do not support mandatory vaccination.
1 October 2020
More here.
653. CDC did not give contradictory advice on mask use for smoke, Covid-19
Social media posts claim the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contradicted itself by advising people to wear cloth masks against the novel coronavirus while also saying masks do not stop smoke inhalation during a wildfire. These claims are misleading; the agency explained that a mask is recommended to contain respiratory droplets, which are larger than smoke particles.
30 September 2020
More here.
652. These drugs are COVID-19 treatments, not vaccines, and they are available in Western countries
Photos of alleged Covid-19 “vaccines” are being shared on social media with claims that the drugs are not for sale in the US, Canada, and the European Union because they are unsafe and still undergoing testing in developing countries. This is false: these products are not vaccines. They are generic forms of remdesivir, an anti-viral drug recommended for the treatment of Covid-19 and which is sold under a different name in developed markets.
30 September 2020
More here.
651. This video shows a Shiite leader in Iran marking the holy day of Ashura during the Covid-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim it shows Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, a top Shiite leader in Iraq, meeting with a crowd of worshippers on an Islamic holiday despite the risk of coronavirus infection. The claim, however, is false; the footage actually shows Grand Ayatollah Sayid Sadiq Shirazi, a Shiite leader in Iran, observing the Islamic holiday of Ashura in August 2020.
28 September 2020
More here.
650. Poster shared in South Africa makes false claims about face masks
A poster that makes multiple claims about the use and legality of face masks during the novel coronavirus pandemic has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook in South Africa. It comes after a high court ruled in June that the country’s lockdown laws were unconstitutional. But the regulations remain in place and masks are still mandatory in public pending the outcome of the government’s appeal, experts say. The poster also makes a series of other claims previously debunked by AFP Fact Check.
25 September 2020
More here.
649. Seasonal flu vaccines are safe, needed during Covid-19 pandemic
Instagram posts and a video shared on Facebook claim that the influenza vaccine Fluzone is more deadly than Covid-19. This is false; the posts have misinterpreted data on the immunization, and the Public Health Agency of Canada said flu vaccines are a safe, important means of preventing illness and avoiding additional burdens being placed on the health care system during the coronavirus pandemic.
25 September 2020
More here.
648. This video shows the filming of a music video in Moscow
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows 200 bodies of dead novel coronavirus victims being lowered into a garbage truck in Russia. The claim is false; the clip shows the filming of a rap music video in the Russian capital of Moscow.
23 September 2020
More here.
647. Australian state leader misquoted in misleading Facebook posts which shared satirical article as fact
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows a genuine quote from Australian politician Daniel Andrews, the current Premier in the state of Victoria. The claim is misleading; the purported quote originated in a satirical article published on September 15, 2020; in response to the misleading posts on September 21, the Victorian government separately denied Andrews made the purported remarks.
22 September 2020
More here.
646. AFP photo of Indian migrant workers leaving Delhi falsely circulated as 'Myanmar people fleeing to Thailand after coronavirus outbreak'
Five photos have been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim they show people fleeing Myanmar and crossing the border to Thailand because of the coronavirus. The claim is false: two of the images -- one of which was taken by AFP -- actually show Indian migrant workers leaving Delhi during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown in March 2020. Other photos used in the misleading post have circulated in Thai media reports about border control measures.
22 September 2020
More here.
645. False claim circulates online that Australian TV network predicted coronavirus cases in state of Victoria
An image has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Instagram posts that claim it shows Australian television network 7 News accurately predicted coronavirus case numbers for the state of Victoria on Sunday, September 13. The claim is false; the image has been taken from a 7 News report which was later updated to correct a typographical error; the official Covid-19 case number released by the state government for September 13 did not correspond with the purported case number in the misleading posts.
21 September 2020
More here.
644. New Zealand doctor makes misleading claims about the country’s PCR testing regime in widely shared YouTube video
A video showing a New Zealand-based doctor claiming the PCR testing method for the novel coronavirus does not “actually test for the virus” and is being used inappropriately has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook. The claims are misleading; multiple experts told AFP the PCR test being used in New Zealand tests for specific RNA sequences unique to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and it is not being used inappropriately by medical staff.
18 September 2020
More here.
643. Medical experts say having a dry throat 'does not increase the risk' of infection
Multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Line messaging app claim that having a dry throat will cause germs to enter one’s body. The claim is false; the Thai Public Health Ministry denies it has ever issued such advice; medical experts say dry throat does not increase the risk of infection.
17 September 2020
More here.
642. Conspiracy theorist ‘hoax pandemic’ video goes viral despite Facebook ban
As social media platforms fight to curb a wave of online conspiracy theories, a video by far-right broadcaster Alex Jones claiming the coronavirus outbreak is a “hoax” has been viewed more than one million times in recent months. AFP Fact Check debunks the viral video.
16 September 2020
More here.
641. The original image from Australia’s Liberal MP Karen Andrews has been doctored to include a yellow star
A purported screenshot of a Facebook post from Australia’s Liberal MP Karen Andrews has been shared in multiple Facebook posts claiming Andrews drew a comparison between people who are against the proposed Covid-19 vaccine and Jewish people during the Holocaust. The claim is false; the original image posted by Karen Andrews has been doctored to include the Jewish badge, a form of identification for Jewish people during the Nazi era.
15 September 2020
More here.
640. Hoax circulates online that Switzerland has ‘officially confirmed’ coronavirus tests are ‘fake’
A claim that the Swiss authorities have “officially confirmed” that the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test used to diagnose novel coronavirus is “fake” has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook. The posts cite the Swiss public health authority Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and Swissmedic, the national supervisory body for medical products, as the source. The claim, however, is false; the posts have taken excerpts of the Swissmedic report out of context; the actual report gives weight to the efficacy of the PCR tests in detecting novel coronavirus.
11 September 2020
More here.
639. International health experts refute claim that coronavirus death rate is lower than that of the flu
A claim that the death rate from the novel coronavirus disease, Covid-19, is lower than that of the flu has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts. The claim is false; available evidence from multiple expert sources show the Covid-19 death rate is higher than the flu’s death rate.
10 September 2020
More here.
638. Countries were not buying Covid-19 test kits in 2018
Facebook posts feature images of tables from a World Bank-linked website alongside the claim that they prove countries were purchasing Covid-19 test kits in 2018. The claim is false; the tables actually list the imports and exports of medical devices that existed in 2018 and which were classified as “Covid-19 products” in April 2020 because of their use fighting the pandemic, according to the World Bank.
10 September 2020.
More here.
637. Kentucky governor did not attend state’s 2020 Derby
Facebook posts claim Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear attended the 2020 edition of the state’s famous horse race, and didn’t wear a mask for protection during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is false; the 2020 Kentucky Derby took place without spectators except for necessary staff, and the photo illustrating the claims dates from 2017.
10 September 2020
More here.
636. Experts dismiss claim that holding your breath helps test for COVID-19
A video purporting to be from an Indian hospital alleges you can find out if you have COVID-19 by simply holding your breath. But the claim is false; the WHO and a pulmonologist told AFP Fact Check that the technique cannot diagnose the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. The Indian hospital mentioned in the post has also denied any link to the video.
7 September 2020
More here.
635. Saudi medical staff celebrate the closure of the hospital’s isolation rooms
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim that it shows Russian healthcare workers celebrating a new vaccine for the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the video shows medical staff celebrating the closures of isolation rooms at King Saud Medical City Al-Shumaisi Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
7 September 2020
More here.
634. This video shows a Seoul rally in October 2019, months before Covid-19 was first reported in South Korea
A video of a large protest has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter in August 2020 alongside a claim it shows a rally against coronavirus restrictions in the South Korean capital of Seoul. The claim is false; the video was first published online in October 2019, nearly four months before the first case of Covid-19 was reported in South Korea in January 2020.
4 September 2020
More here.
633. This image shows Liverpool fans celebrating their team’s UEFA Champions League win in 2005
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows a protest against coronavirus restrictions in the British capital of London. The claim is false; the image shows football fans celebrating in the English city of Liverpool after Liverpool Football Club won the UEFA Champions League in 2005.
4 September 2020
More here.
632. False claim circulates online comparing SARS and Covid-19 outbreaks in the Philippines
Multiple Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times purport show an accurate comparison between the Philippine government's responses to the 2003 SARS outbreak and the 2020 novel coronavirus pandemic. The posts claim a prompt travel ban in 2003 resulted in zero SARS cases in the country, whereas a delayed ban in 2020 led to the Philippines recording the highest Covid-19 cases in Asia. The claim is false; Philippine government records show no travel ban was implemented in 2003; World Health Organisation (WHO) data shows the Philippines recorded 14 SARS cases that year; several Asian countries have recorded higher numbers of Covid-19 cases than the Philippines as of September 4, 2020.
4 September 2020
More here.
631. This photo shows a 1997 music festival in Berlin
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook which claim it shows millions of people protesting against coronavirus restrictions at a rally in Berlin in late August 2020. The claim is false; the image shows a music festival in Berlin in 1997; thousands of people, not millions, protested against Covid-19 restrictions in Berlin on August 29, 2020.
2 September 2020
More here.
630. Outdated guidance on masks circulates on Facebook in Manitoba
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times in Manitoba claim that the official guidance from Canada’s central province on mask-wearing states it is ineffective at preventing illnesses like the novel coronavirus. The posts feature an image of a document from February 2020 and do not reflect the provincial health department's current advice on wearing masks to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
1 September 2020
More here.
629. This video actually shows an anti-government protest in Belarus
A video has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim that it shows a rally against coronavirus restrictions in the British capital of London. The claim is false; the footage shows an anti-government protest in Belarus in August 2020.
1 September 2020
More here.
628. Trump retweets false claim that CDC cut Covid-19 death toll by 94%
Social media posts shared thousands of times and retweeted by President Donald Trump claim the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the national Covid-19 death toll by 94 percent, citing a CDC comorbidity chart. The claim is false; the head of the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) said everyone included in the fatalities died from Covid-19 but the disease usually causes additional conditions, which are also listed.
31 August 2020
More here.
627. This image shows an Italian artist's illustration of a futuristic vehicle, not a prediction of what 2022 would look like
An illustration of people driving single-occupancy vehicles has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alongside a claim it was created by an Italian artist in 1962 to show what he imagined the world would look like in 2022. The claim is false; the image shows an illustration by the Italian artist of a futuristic vehicle he imagined could improve traffic in big cities.
27 August 2020
More here.
626. This video does not show a Covid-19 patient who was nearly buried alive
A video viewed thousands of times claims to show a Covid-19 patient in a Kenyan village who was “nearly buried alive” during his own funeral. The claim is false; county officials confirmed to AFP Fact Check that while the video was indeed taken during a burial ceremony, the man seen lying on the ground wearing protective gear had fainted and is a relative of the deceased.
27 August 2020
More here.
625. Covid-19 poses risks to children, and health authorities recommend they wear masks
A flyer shared on Facebook claims children have little chance of dying of Covid-19, they have essentially no chance of spreading the disease asymptomatically, and that they face a series of risks from wearing face masks. This is misleading; doctors say children can die from the disease and can also spread it, and US health authorities recommend that most youngsters over the age of two wear masks.
27 August 2020
More here.
624. This image shows an Italian artist's illustration of a futuristic vehicle, not a prediction of what 2022 would look like
An illustration of people driving single-occupancy vehicles has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alongside a claim it was created by an Italian artist in 1962 to show what he imagined the world would look like in 2022. The claim is false; the image shows an illustration by the Italian artist of a futuristic vehicle he imagined could improve traffic in big cities.
27 August 2020
More here.
623. All grades in South Africa are scheduled to complete the school year, not repeat it
Facebook posts shared in South Africa claim that some grades will be repeating the current school year in 2021. However, this is false; no such announcement has been made, and the school year calendar has in fact been amended by the education department in an attempt to recover the time lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
27 August 2020
More here.
622. CDC program involves Covid-19 vaccine distribution, not injection, in North Dakota
Facebook posts claim Native Americans in North Dakota will be the first subjects to receive a novel coronavirus vaccine, in one case citing a local news article as “evidence.” This is false; North Dakota was selected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be part of a project preparing for vaccine distribution -- not injection -- once Covid-19 shots are approved.
26 August 2020
More here.
621. Taking your temperature with an infrared thermometer does not damage the pineal gland
A Facebook post shared thousands of times claims that taking a person’s temperature with an infrared thermometer near their head risks damaging the pineal gland, which is located in the brain. This is false, said neuroscience experts, who explained that this type of thermometer does not emit infrared radiation but captures wavelengths from the body.
25 August 2020
More here.
620. Posts criticize Democrats for not wearing masks at a time when they weren’t recommended
Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times during the Democratic National Convention criticize Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and other top Democrats for appearing in a crowd without masks. This is misleading; the photos in the posts are from a Democratic event held weeks before US health authorities began recommending that the general population wear face coverings to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
24 August 2020
More here.
619. The World Health Organization has not been kicked out of Tanzania
An article claiming that the Tanzanian government has kicked the World Health Organization (WHO) out of the country has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. The claim is false; there is no evidence of any such directive and a WHO representative in Tanzania confirmed that the office is still operational.
21 August 2020
More here.
618. This video shows a mock funeral procession during an anti-citizenship law protest in India in 2019
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim it shows a mock funeral procession to "celebrate" Indian Home Minister Amit Shah testing positive for the novel coronavirus. The claim, however, is false; the video shows a mock funeral procession staged during an anti-citizenship law protest in the east Indian state of West Bengal in 2019.
21 August 2020
More here.
617. Misleading claims about COVID-19 vaccine spread by ‘Plandemic’ video
A six-minute clip from the film titled “Plandemic: Indoctornation” seeks to raise fears about the vaccines that could help address the COVID-19 pandemic, and it makes misleading claims about the vaccines currently in clinical trials.
20 August 2020
More here.
616. Fake WHO document shared in anti-mask posts
An image appearing to show an official World Health Organization (WHO) publication highlighting scientific research has been shared on social media in an attempt to prove the global health body does not recommend mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the WHO said the document did not originate from them and includes “cherry picked” studies. The agency -- like numerous other health bodies -- recommends mask wearing to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
20 August 2020
More here.
615. Misleading claim circulates on Facebook about dangers of face masks alongside photos of skin conditions
Five images have been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim they show images of people suffering from skin problems that have been caused by wearing face masks. The claim is misleading; three of the images show cases of chickenpox, eczema, and rosacea unrelated to wearing face masks, while the other two relate to wearing face masks.
20 August 2020
More here.
614. New ‘Plandemic’ film promotes coronavirus conspiracy theory
A film titled “Plandemic: Indoctornation” promotes the idea that the coronavirus pandemic ravaging countries around the world is the result of an elaborate conspiracy. It makes multiple unfounded claims, including that the deadly virus was designed in a lab and global health leaders knew the crisis would occur, and also seeks to stoke fears about vaccines.
19 August 2020
More here.
613. Misleading claim circulates online about Philippine Health Department's guidelines for face shields
An image has been shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows guidelines issued by the Philippine Department of Health about appropriate face shields to protect from the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; the Philippine health authority said it did not issue the image in its guidelines; no official government statement on face shields features the image in the misleading posts.
19 August 2020
More here.
612. False claim circulates on Facebook that Australians 'will be fined if they discuss COVID-19 conspiracies'
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim that “Aussies will be fined if they are found to be talking about conspiracies to do with [COVID-19]”. The posts included a screenshot of a segment from an Australian breakfast television show as evidence for the claim. But the claim is false; an Australian legal expert said as of August 18, 2020, he was not aware of any legislation that banned discussions of COVID-19 conspiracy theories; the Attorney General's Department also said it was not aware of any legislation banning such discussions; the television show pictured in the posts, Nine Network’s Today Extra, said it had been reporting the results of a viewer poll about conspiracy theorists, rather than a piece of legislation.
19 August 2020
More here.
611. This photo shows Vladimir Putin meeting a young patient from an oncology centre in 2012
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting at a table with his daughter, who he announced in August 2020 had taken part in a novel coronavirus vaccine trial in Russia. The posts go on to claim that the COVID-19 vaccine developed in Russia will “save the world from corona”. The claims are misleading; the photo in fact shows the Russian leader sitting next to a young patient from a Moscow medical centre during a visit to the Kremlin in 2012; on August 12, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was looking forward to reviewing clinical trials of a potential coronavirus vaccine developed in Russia, which it listed as being in the first stage of development.
17 August 2020
More here.
610. Misleading claim circulates online that Singapore has 'banned' sale of US produce due to coronavirus
A claim has been shared repeatedly on Line Messenger and Facebook that states Singapore has “banned” people from buying fruit and vegetables imported from the US over fears it could be contaminated with the novel coronavirus. The post goes on to allege the US has been transporting produce in trucks that also carry “dead bodies infected with COVID-19”. The claim is misleading; Singapore's government said it had “not issued any statement discouraging consumption of imports from the US"; health experts say there is insufficient evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted to humans through food.
17 August 2020
More here.
609. This woman is an ordinary volunteer in Russia’s coronavirus vaccine trial, state media reports
Shortly after President Vladimir Putin declared Russia the first country to approve a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, a photo began circulating in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts that claimed it showed Putin’s daughter receiving the jab. The claim is misleading; the woman in the image has been identified by Russian state media as Natalia, a volunteer in the vaccine trial; the images in the misleading post correspond to video of the vaccine trial that has circulated online since June; Natalia’s features do not correspond to publicly-available images of Putin’s two daughters.
17 August 2020
More here.
608.Face mask use does not lead to Legionnaires’ disease
Posts shared thousands of times on social media claim Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia, can be contracted through reusable face masks, implying that it could be mistaken for COVID-19. This is false; experts say Legionnaires’ disease cannot be caught or spread via masks, and that it is not related to spikes in COVID-19.
14 August 2020
More here.
607. No tourists have been allowed to visit New Zealand since March 2020 -- this photo has circulated online since 2016
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts in August 2020 which claim it shows “Chinese tourists allowed to go out of the Auckland bubble”. The posts were shared after New Zealand's government reimposed a coronavirus lockdown on the city of Auckland after it recorded the country’s first local transmissions of COVID-19 in more than 100 days. The claim in the posts is false; the image has circulated online in news reports since at least 2016; New Zealand health officials said no tourists have been allowed into the country since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
14 August 2020
More here.
606. Canadian children with COVID-19 symptoms can quarantine with a parent or guardian
Facebook posts shared thousands of times in Canada claim that parliament has passed a law that would allow the government to quarantine a child who showed COVID-19 symptoms at school separately from a parent. This is false; Canada’s legislature has not passed any such law during the pandemic, and an expert said such legislation, federal or provincial, would easily be struck down as unconstitutional in the courts.
14 August 2020
More here.
605. US far from reaching herd immunity for COVID-19
A Facebook post shared thousands of times claims the United States has reached herd immunity for COVID-19. But experts say this is false, and that the country is far from the point where enough people have the immunity necessary to curb the disease’s spread.
13 August 2020
More here.
604. False claim circulates online that Australian government paid nursing homes to register deaths as caused by COVID-19
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim the Australian government paid nursing homes AUS$25,000 for “labelling [COVID-19] as the main cause of deaths on death certificates”. The posts cite a purported broadcast with an unidentified man on an Australian radio station as evidence for the claim. The claim is false; the local radio station that broadcast the segment with the anonymous caller from the general public said the claim was “immediately recognised as potentially inaccurate information” and was not aired again after the initial live broadcast; in response to the misleading posts, Australia’s Department of Health said the claim was “false” and that only registered doctors can issue death certificates.
13 August 2020
More here.
603. Misleading claim circulates online about New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's visit to Hindu temple
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visiting a Hindu temple after declaring the country had reached its 100th consecutive day of no local coronavirus transmissions. The claim is misleading; the video shows Ardern visiting the temple on August 6, 2020, three days before the country hit its 100-day milestone; on August 11, New Zealand recorded four new locally transmitted COVID-19 infections after 102 consecutive days of no community infections.
13 August 2020
More here.
602. This photo was taken in China almost ten years before the novel coronavirus pandemic
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows Japanese officials paying tribute to frontline workers during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photo shows a group of workers in China in 2011.
13 August 2020
More here.
601. Hoax circulates online that vaccines have caused deaths in the Philippines
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared thousands of times in August 2020 claim that five people in the Philippine city of Tarlac died after receiving vaccine shots. The claim is false; the Tarlac City government and the Philippine Department of Health said the claim was “fake”; the World Health Organization (WHO) said the polio vaccine that was administered across the Philippines in August 2020 was safe.
11 August 2020
More here.
600. Comments on coronavirus measures falsely attributed to Fox News host Tucker Carlson
Social media posts shared thousands of times attribute comments criticizing coronavirus measures to Fox News host Tucker Carlson. But a Fox spokeswoman said Carlson did not say or post them, and they have also been credited to multiple other people by name as well as to an anonymous author.
11 August 2020
More here.
599. False claim circulates online in the Philippines that Canada is ‘free’ of the novel coronavirus
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared thousands of times in August 2020 claim that Canada is “free” of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; as of August 9, 2020, the Canadian government reported it had 6,742 active COVID-19 cases; on August 6, the country's top public health official urged Canadians to "learn to live with the virus".
August 10, 2020
More here.
598. No evidence flu vaccines make children more vulnerable to coronavirus infections
Social media posts claim children vaccinated against the flu are at a significantly higher risk of contracting other respiratory infections, including coronaviruses. This is false; large studies in British Columbia and the US found no evidence that the influenza vaccine increases the risk of contracting a coronavirus, and health officials throughout North America recommend the flu vaccine for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
7 August 2020
More here.
597. Discredited scientific paper behind false claims on COVID-5G link
Social media posts say that 5G technology creates coronavirus in human cells, but the false claim originated from a discredited paper later retracted by a scientific journal. The claims are not based on scientific evidence, experts say, and the paper was withdrawn after its publisher found “manipulation of the peer review” process.
7 August 2020
More here.
596. Hoax circulates online that Fauci ‘knew’ about effective coronavirus treatments in 2005
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on various websites claim that US top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci “has known for 15 years” that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are effective treatments for coronaviruses, citing a 2005 academic paper. The claims are false; one of the authors of the 2005 study said the findings were based on laboratory tests for SARS-CoV, not clinical trials; the study was published by the Virology Journal, which belongs to a for-profit publisher and is not associated with Fauci or the US National Institutes of Health; as of August 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is "no proof that hydroxychloroquine or any other drug can cure or prevent COVID-19".
7 August 2020
More here.
595. False claim circulates on Facebook that 'viruses do not harm or kill' people
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim “viruses do not harm or kill [people]” and that any “harm and death” caused by a virus can be attributed to "the overreaction of a weakened and dysfunctional immune system". The claim is false; viruses can kill people and a dysfunctional immune system does not cause death, experts say.
6 August 2020
More here.
594. Tips on safe sex during COVID-19 pandemic misrepresented in Canadian Facebook post
Facebook posts claimed that British Columbia’s top health officer warned about the risks of asbestos poisoning from boards used as barriers against COVID-19 transmission during sex. This is false; health authorities in the Pacific province did include “glory holes” in online virus-prevention tips, but they did not mention asbestos. That warning was satire shared out of context, its author told AFP.
5 August 2020
More here.
593. False claim circulates online that the United States is testing a COVID-19 vaccine on Ukrainian soldiers
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter claim that four Ukrainian soldiers died after participating in American COVID-19 vaccine trials in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The claim, published in several languages across different posts, was attributed to a police spokesperson in the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic. The claim is false; Ukraine military and Kharkiv medical officials said the posts were “fake news”.
5 August 2020
More here.
592. Members of Congress did not receive quarantine exemption for John Lewis’s funeral
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim Washington’s mayor exempted members of Congress from a 14-day quarantine after they traveled to the funeral of civil rights icon John Lewis in Georgia, which the city considers a “high-risk” state for the coronavirus. But this is misleading, as there was no special exemption; rather, government activity is considered an essential service and the US Capitol is not covered by the mayor’s order, her office said.
5 August 2020
More here.
591. These photos are not of a large protest against COVId-19 restrictions in Germany
A photo collage has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim the images were taken during a protest against coronavirus restrictions in Germany in August 2020. The claim is false; all four photos have circulated in reports about Black Lives Matter protests across Germany in June 2020.
4 August 2020
More here.
590. This photo does not show a massive protest against COVID-19 restrictions in Germany
A photo has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim it shows a protest against coronavirus restrictions in the German capital of Berlin in August 2020. The claim is false; the photo, which has circulated online since at least 2018, shows a street parade in Switzerland before the COVID-19 pandemic.
4 August 2020
More here.
589. Misleading claim circulates online comparing severity of COVID-19 with swine flu
Multiple Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times claim the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has infected far fewer people than the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, but “media hysteria” has prompted an overblown response. The claim is misleading; in April 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that COVID-19 is “10 times more deadly than swine flu”; health experts say COVID-19 has a higher death rate than swine flu, which could in turn put more pressure on healthcare systems.
3 August 2020
More here.
588. Fit people are not immune to COVID-19
A post shared thousands of times on Facebook claims the novel coronavirus does not affect people who are very fit or thin. This is false; the pandemic has shown that nobody is immune to COVID-19, and experts called the claim "dangerous."
31 July 2020
More here.
587. Social media posts misquote face mask advice from international health authorities and academics
A claim has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook, Instagram and other websites in July 2020 that top medical experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The New England Journal of Medicine have warned against wearing face masks because they can cause “severe health issues”. The claim is false; the health authorities did not issue the purported statement, and in fact advocate universal mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
31 July 2020
More here.
586. Wearing a face mask does not put you at risk of developing pleurisy, health experts say
Multiple posts shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter claim that a woman contracted pleurisy, a lung inflammation condition, after wearing a face mask for an extended period of time. According to the posts, the unidentified woman caught the disease because she was breathing in carbon dioxide and her own bacteria. The claims are false; pulmonologists say wearing a face mask does not put you at risk of developing pleurisy, nor does it deprive users of adequate oxygen or cause a surge in carbon dioxide levels.
31 July 2020
More here.
585. Misleading claim spreads online that New Zealand has authorised troops to enter homes to enforce COVID-19 quarantine
A video shows a candidate in the upcoming New Zealand elections claiming that the country's prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, authorised the military to enter private residences in order to enforce COVID-19 quarantine measures. It has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook in July 2020. The claim is misleading; in response to the posts, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Ministry of Health and legal experts said the military had not been given the purported powers.
31 July 2020
More here.
584. Hoax posts offer hazard pay to US pandemic workers
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering hazard pay compensation to individuals who worked during the novel coronavirus pandemic. But the posts lead to a hoax website with a picture of an ape, and economic relief payments are overseen by the US Treasury Department, not FEMA, and are not tied to hazardous work.
30 July 2020
More here.
583. Experts say corpses infected with COVID-19 do not get more infectious over time
A post shared more than a thousand times on Facebook claims that a corpse of a COVID-19 positive person is 100 times more “toxic” 72 hours after death -- and that because undertakers are not burying bodies within this prescribed period, funerals have become hotspots for further infections. The claim is false; according to experts, corpses do not get more infectious over time and the rise in infections after funerals is a result of mourners infecting one another.
30 July 2020
More here.
582. Holy communion has not been banned in Toronto
Articles shared hundreds of times on Facebook in multiple countries claim that holy communion has been banned in Toronto as part of the Canadian city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. These claims are false, according to Toronto Public Health, Ontario’s Health Ministry and the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Archdioceses of Toronto.
30 July 2020
More here.
581. Misleading claim circulates that the Philippines has cancelled school classes until 2021 due to COVID-19
Multiple Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times claim that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced in his recent national address there would be “no classes for all in 2020-2021”. The claim is misleading; in his July 27, 2020, address, Duterte banned face-to-face teaching until a COVID-19 vaccine is created, but called for the implementation of online learning as a temporary measure.
29 July 2020
More here.
580. This video does not show an assault at a McDonald's restaurant in Singapore
A video of a man attacking a cashier at a McDonald’s restaurant has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it happened in Singapore. The claim is false; the video shows an assault at a McDonald’s restaurant in Hong Kong.
29 July 2020
More here.
579. Wearing a face mask does not compromise your immune system, health experts say
Facebook and Twitter posts shared tens of thousands of times claim that wearing a face mask compromises a person's immune system. The claim is misleading; wearing a face mask does not negatively impact the immune system, according to health experts. As of July 2020, international health authorities and governments around the world recommended wearing face masks as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
July 29 2020
More here.
578. US social media users still mischaracterize Canada’s COVID-19 aid
A text outlining Canada’s alleged response to the coronavirus pandemic with lengthy school shutdowns and universal relief payments was shared thousands of times in the US. The claims are misleading; schools are expected to reopen in September, only individuals directly affected by COVID-19 are eligible for financial aid, mortgage relief is granted by banks on a case-by-case basis, and rent is still due.
July 29 2020
More here.
577. Rodrigo Duterte says there is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19 in this video, not that there is one already
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple YouTube and Facebook posts that claim it shows an announcement from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte about a successful COVID-19 vaccine. The claim is false; the video shows Duterte stating that a successful vaccine had not yet been created for COVID-19, during a government press conference aired on July 21, 2020.
July 29 2020
More here.
576. Trump spreads video of doctor who falsely claims hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19
US President Donald Trump used Twitter to spread footage of a doctor who claims a combination of medicines including hydroxychloroquine will cure COVID-19. But there is currently no cure for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and the false information the video contains has left social media companies scrambling to remove it.
July 29 2020
More here.
575. Aardvark logo on COVID testing trucks mistaken for an Egyptian god of death
A series of photos shared tens of thousands of times claims that mobile testing facilities for COVID-19 carry a depiction of the Egyptian “god of death” Anubis as their logo. This is false; the logo features an aardvark according to the company that runs the testing facilities.
July 28 2020
More here.
574. False claims circulate that global COVID-19 fatalities have surpassed 1.6 million
A Facebook post that made an exaggerated claim in May 2020 about the global death toll from the novel coronavirus has been amplified across the world, especially on social media accounts posting religious content. The most recent versions of the post claim that more than 1.6 million people have died from COVID-19, but this is false; the real number of deaths counted is currently less than half of that.
July 28 2020
More here.
573. Hoax circulates that the WHO has approved Indian student's ginger juice 'COVID-19 remedy'
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter claim that the World Health Organization (WHO) has approved an Indian student's ginger juice “home remedy” for COVID-19. The claim is false; the WHO's spokesperson for India said the posts were “fake news”; as of July 28, 2020, the WHO states “there are no medicines that have been shown to prevent or cure [COVID-19]”.
July 28 2020
More here.
572. Misleading claim circulates about WHO's advice on COVID-19 transmission from cats and dogs
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement that cats and dogs do not “carry” COVID-19. The claim is misleading; a WHO spokesperson told AFP they have published no such statement; in July 2020, experts said there was “little evidence” that animals can transmit the virus to humans, but there was some evidence of human-to-animal transmission.
July 27 2020
More here.
571. This photo claiming to show supporters of a Philippine television network circulated online in February 2020, weeks before the government imposed COVID-19 restrictions
A photo has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows supporters of ABS-CBN, the largest television network in the Philippines, gathering in violation of the country's COVID-19 restrictions. The posts were shared after the government refused to renew ABS-CBN's operating licence. The claim is false; the photo has circulated online since February 2020, weeks before the government imposed COVID-19 restrictions and made mask-wearing mandatory in public.
27 July 2020
More here.
570. False list of 'home treatments' for COVID-19 circulates online
A list of purported treatments for COVID-19 at its “different stages” has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts. The posts recommend that people with breathing problems should use an oxygen cylinder and monitor their oxygen levels before going to a hospital. The claims, however, are false; health experts have said there is no scientific evidence to suggest the list of purported treatments are effective; they also advised people with breathing difficulties due to suspected COVID-19 to seek immediate medical help.
22 July 2020
More here.
569. Flawed experiments exaggerate risk from CO2 concentration in masks
A video shared online aimed to prove that face masks are dangerous to children by showing that toxic levels of CO2 concentrate inside a mask. This is misleading; experts dismissed the experiment as faulty science whose data is the opposite of what should be expected, and said there are no serious health effects to wearing a mask.
21 July 2020
More here.
568. Face masks do not cause fungal lung infections if handled correctly, health experts say
Multiple posts shared thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram claim that face masks can cause fungal lung infections. The claim is misleading; wearing face masks will not cause fungal lung infections or harm human health if they are handled correctly, an epidemiologist said; the World Health Organization (WHO) states wearing face masks for long periods is safe providing wearers regularly change or wash their masks if they become wet or soiled.
21 July 2020
More here.
567. There is no evidence that budesonide asthma inhalers can cure COVID-19, experts say
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook claim that budesonide, a steroid used in asthma inhalers, can "cure" COVID-19. The claim is misleading; as of July 2020, health experts say there is no scientific evidence that budesonide can cure or treat COVID-19; the Philippine health department dismissed the claim as "fake news" and warned the steroid should only be used with a doctor’s prescription.
21 July 2020
More here.
566. This footage has circulated in reports about unattended bodies at a hospital in south India in 2013, and does not show Covid-19 victims
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows COVID-19 victims at a hospital in the south Indian city of Hyderabad. The claim is misleading; the footage was published in reports about unclaimed bodies at a Hyderabad hospital in 2013, more than six years before the novel coronavirus pandemic.
20 July 2020
More here.
565. No ban to end the use of face masks in Tanzania
An article claiming that Tanzania has banned the wearing of face masks to guard against the new coronavirus because they “caused anxiety among Tanzanians” has re-emerged in South Africa after first circulating online in May 2020. According to the piece, which has received thousands of interactions on Facebook, the order was issued by Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli. However, this claim is false; no such order was issued, and a government spokesperson has urged citizens to observe guidelines issued by experts to safeguard against COVID-19.
17 July 2020
More here.
564. This video shows Amitabh Bachchan praising healthcare workers two months before he tested positive for COVID-19, not afterwards
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple Facebook, YouTube and Twitter posts alongside a claim it shows Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan expressing gratitude to healthcare workers at a Mumbai hospital in July 2020 after he was hospitalised for COVID-19. The claim is misleading; Bachchan recorded the video in April 2020, more than two months before he tested positive for COVID-19.
15 July 2020
More here.
563. False social media posts purport to share coronavirus guidelines from Sri Lankan hospital
An image has been shared repeatedly on Facebook and WhatsApp alongside a false claim it shows a list of COVID-19 preventive measures issued by Sri Lanka's Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH).
15 July 2020
More here.
562. Fake pharmaceutical ad urges viewers to ‘take the shot’
Facebook posts shared more than 1,000 times appear to show a billboard advertisement from US pharmaceutical giant Merck encouraging viewers to take a novel coronavirus vaccine. This is false; there is no vaccine yet, a company spokesman said the advertisement is not legitimate, and a reverse image search shows the picture was created using clip art and a stock photo of a blank billboard.
14 July 2020
More here.
561. A video of Tanzania's leader celebrating was taken years before the novel coronavirus emerged
A video showing Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli in a celebratory mood has been viewed more than 200,000 times on social media alongside claims that he was marking the country's eradication of COVID-19. The claim is false: an online search reveals that the clip was filmed in 2016, years before the novel coronavirus pandemic began.
14 July 2020
More here.
560. This photo shows South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic, not new cases of bubonic plague in China
A photo of four people wearing protective clothing on a street has been shared hundreds of times alongside a claim it shows Chinese authorities responding to new cases of bubonic plague detected in Inner Mongolia in July 2020. The image has been shared in a misleading context; it is actually an AFP photo that shows soldiers spraying disinfectant in South Korea during the coronavirus pandemic; the other three images in the post do not directly relate to the recently detected cases of bubonic plague.
14 July 2020
More here.
559. This video does not show Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn chanting an Islamic invocation to get rid of coronavirus
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim it shows Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn chanting an Islamic invocation to get rid of coronavirus. The claim is false; the video has previously circulated in reports about the Thai king presiding over a celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday in Bangkok in April 2019, months before the first coronavirus case was reported in Thailand.
13 July 2020
More here.
558. Health experts say COVID-19 swab tests are safe and do not damage the blood-brain barrier as claimed
An illustration has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Instagram posts which claim it shows that nasal swab tests for COVID-19 can harm the blood brain-barrier, a semipermeable membrane separating blood from other fluids in the brain. The claim is misleading; experts say COVID-19 swab tests are not placed near the blood-brain barrier and do not pose a risk to human health.
13 July 2020
More here.
557. This image was created using only photos of healthcare workers who died of coronavirus in Mexico, not worldwide
A photo mosaic has been shared repeatedly in multiple Sinhala-language Facebook posts alongside a claim it was created using photos of “all doctors and nurses” who have died of COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the image was produced by a Mexico-based newspaper to honour 198 healthcare workers who died in Mexico after being infected with COVID-19.
10 July 2020
Read more here.
556. Misleading claim spreads online about detection of bubonic plague in China
Multiple posts shared thousands of times claim the World Health Organization (WHO) has said a case of bubonic plague detected in China in early July 2020 is likely to trigger a "severe epidemic". The posts also claim that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said bubonic plague can be spread through cough droplets. The claims are misleading; the WHO has said the bubonic plague case is not high-risk and is “being well managed”; the CDC states bubonic plague is usually caused by flea bites.
9 July 2020
More here.
555. Post falsely claims that image shows a family who died after eating food served on virus-contaminated banana leaf
An image has been shared thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim that it shows a family who died after eating food served on virus-contaminated banana leaf. The claim is false; similar photos of the same group of people circulated in Indian media articles about a family who were reported to have taken their own lives in India in 2017.
8 July 2020
More here.
554. This 1998 photo shows young polio patients in Sierra Leone, not the aftermath of vaccine trials on Africans
A purported image of children with limb deformities has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts published in 2020 alongside a claim it shows the aftermath of vaccine trials on Africans. The claim is false; the photo, taken in 1998 in the West African country Sierra Leone, actually shows unvaccinated children who contracted polio.
8 July 2020
More here.
553. Nokia latest to be hit by Facebook scam claiming phone giveaway for students during the pandemic
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim Nokia is handing out phones to help students during the pandemic. However, the company said it has nothing to do with the scheme. Dozens of scam pages promising free phones have sprung up in recent weeks, a common ploy to boost follower numbers.
3 July 2020
More here.
552. This Pakistani doctor was wounded by a police officer, not the family of a heart patient who died after being misdiagnosed with COVID-19
Two photos have been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook with a claim they show a Pakistani doctor who was attacked by the family of a heart patient who died after being misdiagnosed with COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the doctor was wounded at a Karachi hospital by a police officer after he was denied sleeping medications, according to police and the hospital.
3 July 2020
More here.
551. Fake police bulletin about 'face mask scam' circulates worldwide
A purported "police bulletin" warning of a new burglary scam has been shared thousands of times by Facebook users.
2 July 2020
More here.
550. False claim circulates online that China is no longer hospitalising COVID-19 patients
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times in June 2020 claim that people in China have stopped going to hospitals for COVID-19 treatment and instead "kill the virus with heat" through "steam inhalation"; "hot gargles" and "hot tea".
1 July 2020
More here.
549. Mask misinformation spreads in the US as COVID-19 cases spike
Social media posts shared thousands of times in the United States contain multiple false or misleading claims about face masks used to stop the spread of COVID-19, including that they violate federal standards for oxygen supply, cloth masks “do not filter anything” and trap carbon dioxide, surgical masks spread germs, and N95 masks expel unfiltered air.
30 June 2020
More here.
548. This is not a genuine photo of a baby girl who died after contracting COVID-19
A blog post has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows a video of a baby who died after being infected with the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim is false; the blog post in fact shows a photo that has circulated online since 2014 in reports about a man who killed his wife and children in New York City.
30 June 2020
More here.
547. Misleading claim circulates about the accuracy of COVID-19 tests in Australia
A purported screenshot of an Australian Department of Health webpage has been shared repeatedly on Facebook alongside a claim it is evidence that COVID-19 tests “cannot distinguish covid from a cold or measles or ebola”. The claim is misleading; Australian health authorities told AFP the image contains “selectively chosen information taken out of context”, and clarified that tests designed for SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, would not detect any other kinds of pathogens.
30 June 2020
More here.
546. List of unsubstantiated COVID-19 treatments circulates online
A photo of a list of purported symptoms and treatments for the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The purported remedies include a daily dose of vitamins; exposure to sunlight; and a diet of alkaline foods. The claims are false; as of June 29, 2020, experts say there is no known cure for COVID-19; AFP has previously debunked hoax claims about the purported coronavirus symptoms and remedies.
29 June 2020
More here.
545. These are not photos of throats of coronavirus patients
Two photos which show human throats have been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts warning about the seriousness of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The photos have been shared in a misleading context; both images have circulated online before the COVID-19 pandemic; health experts have clarified that only a small percentage of COVID-19 patients are likely to develop the most severe symptoms.
29 June 2020
More here.
544. Disgraced US researcher makes latest false claims about vaccine safety
A short portion of an interview given by discredited researcher Judy Mikovits, in which she claims that a vaccine for COVID-19 will be deadly, warns against immunization, and advocates for a five-year moratorium to test all vaccines, has been watched tens of thousands of times on YouTube and Facebook. The claims are false; vaccine candidates go through three phases of clinical trials, are carefully monitored for adverse effects, and multiple doctors told AFP vaccines are safe.
26 June 2020
More here.
543. This is not a video of a protest in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic
Aerial footage of a large procession of people has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook alongside claims that the video shows protests in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic The claim is false; the video has circulated in media reports about people in Iran attending a funeral procession for military leader Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.
26 June 2020
More here.
542. This is not a video of a Brazilian politician furious over nonexistent COVI-19 patients
A widely shared video claims to show Brazilian lawmaker Filippe Poubel erupt in anger as he breaks into a field hospital that had claimed to have 5,000 novel coronavirus patients and finds it empty. In reality, the clip depicts the politician expressing his displeasure over a delay in opening a new COVID-19 hospital.
25 June 2020
More here.
541. Scientists warn against 'bogus' COVID-19 removal cards
South Sudan's president and senior ministers have appeared in public in recent weeks wearing so-called “virus removal cards”, clip-on tags marketed as prevention against infectious diseases. AFP Fact Check found the items for sale online in various countries, including Lebanon, Malaysia and the Philippines. However, scientists warn the cards, which have been banned in the US and elsewhere, do not prevent COVID-19.
25 June 2020
More here.
540. Hoax circulates about a supposed plan by Bill Gates to 'microchip the vaccine'
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim that Bill Gates’ “ultimate goal” is to “microchip the [COVID-19] vaccine” to create “virtual IDs”. The posts also claim the billionaire philanthropist was in New Zealand in May and June 2020 “to test and trial the COVID-19 vaccine”. Both claims are false; a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation spokesperson dismissed the purported link between Gates and microchips; as of June 24, New Zealand authorities say there is no record of Gates visiting the country in 2020.
25 June 2020
More here.
539. Scams of phones being given out for pandemic education circulate in Nigeria
Multiple posts shared thousands of times on Facebook in Nigeria claim to be giving out smartphones to help students attend online classes during the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, this is one of a growing number of scams aimed at increasing followers of social media pages and accounts.
25 June 2020
More here.
538. This is not a photo of a baby who contracted COVID-19 after heart surgery
The image of an intubated baby with a large chest scar has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook, with claims that the infant had recently survived heart surgery before testing positive for the novel coronavirus. This is misleading: the pictured baby had heart surgery in 2012 and the now seven-year-old child does not have COVID-19, his parents say.
25 June 2020
More here.
537. CDC does not add flue and pneumonia deaths to COVID-19 toll
A Facebook post shared thousands of times claims the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lied about the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 by combining the count with pneumonia and influenza fatalities. This is false; the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) only records those who died from COVID-19 in its toll for the disease.
24 June 2020
More here.
536. Map used to make misleading comparison of COVID-19 spread in US, Canada
A post shared thousands of times on Facebook claims to show a map comparing the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and Canada. This claim is misleading according to the map’s creators because it is comparing cumulative cases between countries with very different populations and population densities.
24 June 2020
More here.
535. Hoax circulates about 'Latin translation' of COVID-19
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter claim COVID-19 means “see a sheep surrender” in Latin. The claim is false; Latin language experts dismissed the claim as “nonsense”; the World Health Organization (WHO) states COVID-19 refers to “coronavirus disease 2019”.
24 June 2020
More here.
534. This video does not show a COVID-19 nurse raped and murdered
A video that appears to show a woman being attacked has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple YouTube posts and on various websites alongside a claim the footage shows a COVID-19 frontline nurse who was raped and stabbed to death. The claim is false; the footage was in fact taken from a sexual harassment awareness campaign video in India that circulated online years before the coronavirus pandemic.
23 June 2020
More here.
533. Israel has not reported zero deaths from COVId-19 due to baking soda remedy
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter since March 2020 claim that Israel has reported zero deaths from the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The posts also claim Israeli citizens have protected themselves from COVID-19 by drinking a remedy of hot water, lemon and baking soda, which purportedly “kills” the virus. Both claims are false; as of June 21 the World Health Organization (WHO) states Israel has reported 305 deaths from COVID-19; health experts say there is no evidence the baking soda concoction can cure or prevent COVID-19 infections.
23 June 2020
More here.
532. This is not a genuine prescription issued by a Delhi hospital doctor for a COVID-19 patient
A photo of a handwritten letter which shows an Indian hospital's letterhead has been shared in multiple Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp posts alongside a claim that it is a genuine prescription issued by a doctor at the hospital for a COVID-19 patient. The claim is misleading; the hospital denied that the prescription was issued by one of their doctors and said the signature was forged.
22 June 2020
More here.
531. This video does not show an overflow of coronavirus patients at a hospital in Pakistan
A video showing people in hospital beds on a street has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows coronavirus patients who were moved outside a hospital in Pakistan because of an overflow of patients. The claim is false; the video in fact shows patients who were evacuated from a hospital in the Pakistani city of Lahore after a fire broke out.
22 June 2020
More here.
530. This video shows a Berlin mosque broadcasting a call to prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows an Islamic call to prayer in Berlin after black clouds appeared in the sky. The posts claim the call was heard despite there being “no mosque” in the area. The claim is false; the video shows a call to prayer that was broadcast by a mosque in Berlin; the call was staged as a nearby church rang its bell in April 2020 as a sign of unity during the coronavirus pandemic.
22 June 2020
More here.
529. Rwandan government rejects claim leader Paul Kagame opposed WHO over virus tonic
Articles shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter claim Rwandan President Paul Kagame censured the World Health Organization (WHO) for rejecting a herbal tonic touted by the Madagascan government as a cure for COVID-19. However, a presidential spokesperson dismissed the claim as “fake news”. No evidence was found to show Kagame made the comments. In fact, he has said his government is avoiding untested remedies.
22 June 2020
More here.
528. Fresh false claims about COVID-10 vaccine and 5G technology spread online in the Philippines
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times by Filipino Facebook users make several false claims about a future vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The posts also make claims about a link between a potential vaccine and the rollout of 5G technology. The claims are all false, according to health experts.
19 June 2020
More here.
527. Hoax circulates that India's capital region will be placed under new four-week lockdown
A claim that the entire Indian capital region including New Delhi will be placed under a “complete lockdown” for four weeks beginning June 18 has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter. The claim is false; as of June 19 no fresh lockdown has been announced in India, and government officials have said that no such plan was under consideration.
19 June 2020
More here.
526. Nobel winner Denis Mukwege rejects 'fake patients' quote circulating online
Viral posts circulating in Africa claim Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege resigned from the leadership of two COVID-19 task forces in DR Congo because he was told to manipulate patient numbers. The claim is false; Mukwege's resignation statement cited frustration at how the crisis was being managed, but nothing about fake patients. He has rejected the quotes attributed to him in the viral posts.
19 June 2020
More here.
525. Not all of these photos show life during the 1918 flu pandemic
Facebook posts claiming to show vintage photographs taken during the Spanish flu pandemic more than 100 years ago have been shared thousands of times in Africa, Asia and the United States. While most of the images do depict life in various parts of the world during the pandemic, some are unrelated to the event and either were taken years earlier or later.
19 June 2020
More here.
524. This is not a photo of South Africa's president flouting virus laws at a birthday party in 2020; the images are from events long before the COVID-19 epidemic
A meme posted on Facebook claims South Africa’s president and ruling party politicians recently celebrated a high-profile birthday and flouted lockdown rules in the process. However, the images were taken in previous years. A secondary claim that COVID-19 is a bacteria -- and that this therefore would explain the lack of masks in the pictures -- has been refuted by experts.
19 June 2020
More here.
523. Meme misleads about danger of long-term mask use
A meme shared thousands of times on Facebook claims people can suffer from reduced oxygen to their blood and brain, possibly leading to death, if they wear a disposable mask for too long. This is misleading; only a marginal decrease in oxygen saturation can sometimes be measured in people wearing a disposable mask, and several experts agree there is no evidence of long-term effects from breathing through a mask.
18 June 2020
More here.
522. South Sudan leaders have not flown abroad for COVID-19 treatment
South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his first deputy Riek Machar recently became targets of tit-for-tat claims on Facebook alleging they had flown to foreign countries for COVID-19 treatment. For four days, rumours about the two men -- bitter rivals since the 2013 civil war -- flew thick and fast on social media. Allegations that they were abroad (and even dead in the case of Kiir) were finally put to bed with television appearances from their respective homes in the capital, Juba.
18 June 2020
More here.
521. False claim circulates that Android users in Australia have been automatically signed up to COVIDSafe app
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook state Android users in Australia have been automatically signed up to COVIDSafe, the government's COVID-19 contact tracing app, through an application programming interface (API) operated by Google. The claim is false; a cybersecurity expert said the API is “not an app”, and that the use of it is optional; the Australian government said the COVIDSafe app is available for voluntary download and cannot operate without being downloaded.
18 June 2020
More here.
520. As US faces COVID-19 spike, outdated mask information spreads online
A Facebook post shared more than 25,000 times says face masks should only be worn by medical professionals or people who have become ill during the coronavirus pandemic. This is misleading; the World Health Organization guidance cited in the post is out of date, and US health authorities have long recommended that the general public wear masks.
17 June 2020
More here.
519. Misinformation spreads online about reimposing a strict COVID-19 lockdown in Metro Manila
A purported government resolution has been shared in multiple Facebook posts in June 2020 claiming that the Philippine government has approved a motion to reimpose strict lockdown measures in Metro Manila, Cebu and Laguna. The claim is misleading and has been branded by the government as “fake news”; on June 15, authorities announced Metro Manila and Laguna would remain under its current, loosened lockdown restrictions until at least the end of June.
17 June 2020
More here.
518. This video shows Dr. Anthony Fauci emphasizing the importance of clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine, not claiming that 'vaccines make you worse'
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter which claim it shows US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci admitting vaccines are “toxic” and can “make you worse” during a press conference about the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; in the video, Fauci explains the importance of clinical trials to ensure potential vaccines against COVID-19 are effective. AFP has previously debunked multiple claims that vaccines are harmful.
17 June 2020
More here.
517. This is not a photo of the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it was taken during the “Spanish flu” pandemic between 1918 and 1920. The claim is misleading; the photo has circulated in reports about fashion in 1913, about five years before the 1918 influenza pandemic; a spokesman for German photo agency Süddeutsche Zeitung Photo told AFP the photo shows “nose veil” fashion in 1913 after the Balkan war.
16 June 2020
More here.
516. This video does not show police in India beating a man to death for violating COVID-19 lockdown; the footage has circulated in reports about police assaulting an intoxicated man in an inciden unrelated to the novel coronavirus
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows police in India beating a man to death after he violated a nationwide coronavirus lockdown by "venturing out for food". The claim is false; the video has circulated in reports about police beating an intoxicated man in India’s Madhya Pradesh state in an incident unrelated to the ongoing lockdown; police said two officers had been suspended over the incident for "assaulting" a man.
15 June 2020
More here.
515. Misleading claim made about Indonesian governor being lauded for his handling of COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim it shows that Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan received an international award for “the best governor” in handling the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is misleading; the clip shows the governor taking part in a global online summit with other city leaders from around the world about responses to the COVID-19 crisis.
15 June 2020
More here.
514. Video of nurse giving misleading advice about face masks spreads on social media
A video of a nurse shared thousands of times on Facebook during the coronavirus pandemic warns the public against continuously wearing face masks. Her claims that wearing a face mask could harm the body are misleading, according to medical experts.
12 June 2020
More here.
513. Nigerian government did not say schools would reopen on July 13
An article circulating on Facebook and Twitter claims that Nigerian schools will reopen on July 13, 2020, according to a government official. However, the claim is false; the author of the report admitted it was incorrect and Nigerian authorities have dismissed the claim.
11 June 2020
More here.
512. Coronavirus testing is not an excuse to implant Gates-funded microchips
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim the coronavirus pandemic is a cover for a Gates Foundation-funded effort to implant microchips when patients’ noses or throats are swabbed during COVID-19 testing. This is false; the pandemic is real, the foundation denied the claim, and experts say there is a medical reason for the way swabs are used when testing for the disease.
11 June 2020
More here.
511. France has not announced a ban on Africans travelling to Europe if they refuse 'the European vaccine' for COVID-19
Facebook posts circulating in Africa claim France has announced a ban on Africans travelling to Europe if they refuse “the European vaccine” for COVID-19. However, France’s foreign ministry rejected the claims and AFP Fact Check found no trace of such an announcement.
10 June 2020
More here.
510. Misleading image used to claim vaccines are dangerous
An image shared on social media claims vaccines are dangerous because they contain potassium chloride, the chemical used to stop the heart in lethal injections. This is misleading; it is a salt that is necessary for organs to function properly, and medical experts say the minimal amount used in vaccines will not harm recipients.
10 June 2020
More here.
509. Italy's health ministry rejects online 'hoax' about virus origin
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that the novel coronavirus disease is caused by bacteria and can be cured with household painkillers. The posts also claim that Italian doctors found a cure for COVID-19. Both claims are false; Italy's health ministry told AFP Fact Check that the posts were “a hoax”. No cure has been found for the disease.
9 June 2020
More here.
508. Empty body bags were used in protests and not part of 'fake' pandemic plot
Facebook posts shared thousands of times accuse authorities of lining the streets with empty body bags in a bid to fool people about the “fake” novel coronavirus pandemic. But the claim is false: the photo was taken at a US protest against the government’s handling of the novel coronavirus crisis.
9 June 2020
More here.
507. List of unproven COVID-19 treatments debunks by health experts
A message shared on WhatsApp and Facebook purportedly by a recovering COVID-19 patient in Britain makes several claims on ways people can prevent or treat the novel coronavirus. However, experts and health agencies have refuted most of the claims.
8 June 2020
More here.
506. This video does not show migrant workers stopped at Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border during the COVID-19 lockdown
Footage of a large crowd has been shared in multiple Facebook posts claiming to show migrant workers who were stopped at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh state border during India's nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020. However, the claim is false; the video has circulated online since at least October 2019 and corresponds with local news reports about an Indian Army recruitment drive in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh.
8 June 2020
More here.
505. Woman in viral video makes misleading claims about face masks
A viral video shared on multiple social media platforms shows a woman outside a US store making several misleading claims about the use of face masks including that they do not protect from COVID-19 and that their use makes you sick. Research backed by leading academic institutions and international health bodies recommends they be used along with other measures to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
5 June 2020
More here.
504. This video does not show conditions in a COVID-19 hospital ward in Delhi
A video purporting to show several dead bodies lying beside coronavirus patients in a hospital ward has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it was filmed in the Indian capital of Delhi. The claim is misleading; the footage in fact shows the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai; it has circulated in several reports about the hospital’s COVID-19 ward.
5 June 2020
More here.
503. Business grant scam in Uganda resurfaces
A Facebook post claiming that the Ugandan government is offering grants to local businesses in an effort to cushion its citizens against the effects of COVID-19 has been shared hundreds of times. The claim is false; the Facebook post appears on a page impersonating Uganda’s finance ministry. The ministry has flatly denied partnering with any organisation for purposes of offering grants to Ugandan entrepreneurs in the ongoing pandemic.
5 June 2020
More here.
502. Myth circulates online that Italy has discovered that COVID-19 is a bacteria, curable by paracetamol
Mulitple Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim the Italian health ministry has discovered COVID-19 is caused by bacteria. The posts go on to claim the health ministry discovered COVID-19 is exacerbated by 5G technology and can be cured using painkillers and antibiotics. The claims are false; the Italian health ministry said the posts were “a hoax”; the claims have also been widely refuted by international experts, who have found COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus.
4 June 2020
More here.
501. This is not a photo of a Pakistani official violating social distancing rules in May 2020
A photo of a Pakistani provincial chief minister has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts in May 2020 alongside a claim that it shows him violating social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photo was taken in 2018 during a procession on Ashura, a Muslim holy day.
4 June 2020
More here.
500. Lesotho has not created a COVID-19 herbal remedy (as of June 4)
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that people in Lesotho are "immune" to COVID-19 because the country apparently created a remedy for the disease. The claim is false; a health ministry spokesman denied the southern African state had endorsed such a treatment while the head of the company that makes the tonic featured in the posts said it has not been tested to treat COVID-19.
4 June 2020
More here.
499. Nigeria did not give cash donations to all its citizens
An article shared more than 14,000 times on Facebook claims the Nigerian government gave N20,000 ($52) to “everyone” across the country’s 36 states. This is false; the article in question shares a true story but uses an unrelated and misleading headline. Nigeria has a social investment programme to help the poor and handed out cash and food during the lockdown, but not to all citizens.
4 June 2020
More here.
498. Video of fake 5G technology spreads on social media
A video has been shared thousands of times on social media, claiming that circuit boards with “COV-19” inscribed on them are being fitted to 5G towers. The claim is false; Virgin Media, the company that distributes these boards, and an independent expert confirmed that the equipment is an aged satellite TV component unrelated to 5G technology.
3 June 2020
More here.
497. Misleading social media posts claim adverse health effects of face masks
Posts shared thousands of times on social media list a number of adverse health effects linked to wearing face masks. Some of these claims are false, while others are misleading, public health experts tell AFP.
3 June 2020
More here.
496. This is not a photo of a daughter of the late Sri Lankan politician violating quarantine to attend a funeral
A photo from the funeral of a recently deceased Sri Lankan politician, Arumugam Thondaman, has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts. The posts claim the image shows one of Thondaman’s daughters violated Sri Lanka's mandatory coronavirus quarantine policy for travelers by attending the ceremony shortly after returning to the country from overseas. The claim is false; the image shows Thondaman’s other daughter, who resides in Sri Lanka and did not travel from abroad to attend the funeral.
3 June 2020
More here.
495. This is not a video of an Italian church that lost many of its congregants to COVID-19
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim it shows an empty church in Italy after almost all of its congregants died from the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the video shows a church in the US state of Mississippi during an online Easter service in April 2020.
3 June 2020
More here.
494. This is not a video of Chinese citizens converting to Islam due to COVID-19, it shows an Eid-al-Fitr prayer in northwest China in 2015
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows Chinese citizens converting to Islam as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the footage actually shows an Eid-al-Fitr prayer in the Chinese city of Xining in 2015, years before the pandemic.
3 June 2020
More here.
493. Conspiracy theories circulate about 5G 'microchip implants'
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that 5G mobile phones will work off microchips secretly implanted under the skin by vaccination for COVID-19. However, the posts combine various conspiracy theorists previously debunked by AFP Fact Check and experts reject any link between 5G technology and microchips.
1 June 2020
More here.
492. Hoax circulates online that Taiwanese doctors have discovered COVID-19 as a 'combination of SARS and AIDS'
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim doctors from the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) in Taipei have found that COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, is a combination of AIDS and SARS. The claim is false; according to a spokesperson from the hospital, the statement was not authored by its doctors; as of May 20, 2020, advisories from global health organisations have not characterised COVID-19 as a disease that is AIDS and SARS combined.
1 June 2020
More here.
491. No evidence salt can treat COVID-19
Multiple posts shared thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube claim that salt is an effective remedy against the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; health experts have said there is no evidence that salt can treat the novel coronavirus disease; as of May 2020, the WHO says there is no remedy for COVID-19.
29 May 2020
More here.
490. Vaccines do not violate the Nuremberg Code
Facebook and Instagram posts shared thousands of times claim that vaccines directly violate the Nuremberg Code, a set of research ethics principles for human experimentation established after World War II. This claim is false; medical ethics and legal experts said the principles, named after the Nuremberg trials, are compatible with vaccination.
29 May 2020
More here.
489. Coronavirus 'survival rates' remain unknown, experts say
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter claim that seven countries, including the United States, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, have "survival rates" of more than 99.9 percent for people who contract the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; as of May 2020, several medical experts said global COVID-19 survival rates remain unknown for various reasons.
29 May 2020
More here.
488. This picture does not show overgrown shrubs at a Malaysian theme park during the novel coronavirus lockdown
An image has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Twitter and Facebook which claim it shows overgrown shrubs at a theme park in Malaysia during a coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the image shows an abandoned theme park in Japan; it has circulated online since at least May 2019.
29 May 2020
More here.
487. This photo does not show a victim of a deadly insect 'pandemic' during the novel coronavirus outbreak
A photo of a person with several puncture wounds on their arm has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim China and Iran were hit by a deadly insect “pandemic" during the coronavirus crisis. The claim is false; this photo has circulated in reports about a series of hornet attacks in China in 2013 -- almost seven years before the novel coronavirus was first detected.
29 May 2020
More here.
486. Misinformation circulates about Japan’s plan to subsidise tourism after coronavirus lockdown is lifted
Multiple online articles and social media posts published in May 2020 claim the Japanese government is set to subsidise trips for foreign tourists visiting the country by up to half of the cost after it lifts its coronavirus lockdown. The claim is misleading; on May 27, 2020, the Japanese government clarified the plan will only apply to Japanese residents making domestic travel, adding the details of the policy are still being finalised.
29 May 2020
More here.
485. No evidence robbers are using chemical-laced face masks on victims in South Africa
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times in South Africa claim that criminals posing as government officials are going around to people’s homes and distributing face masks that are laced with chemicals to knock them out and rob them. However, local police -- like their counterparts elsewhere in the world -- dismissed the claim as a myth.
28 May 2020
More here.
484. US President Donald Trump did not offer Madagascar $2.5 million to developt its COVID-19 herbal remedy
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim US President Donald Trump approved a $2.5 million fund for Madagascar to mass-produce a herbal remedy touted by the island’s president as a cure for COVID-19. The claim is false; there is no evidence Trump made any such statement, and while the United States did give Madagascar $2.5 million to tackle the outbreak, government information on the fund’s use does not include producing a remedy.
27 May 2020
More here.
483. Italian politician spreads false claims about Bill Gates in parliament speeches
A video of Italian politician Sara Cunial blasting Bill Gates as a “vaccine criminal” in speeches to parliament has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and YouTube. But her statements are riddled with misinformation. AFP Fact Check debunks some of the claims.
27 May 2020
More here.
482. Misleading claim circulates about coronavirus contact tracing app in New Zealand
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared thousands of times in May 2020 claim anyone in New Zealand who refuses to use a coronavirus contact tracing app has been banned from entering shops during the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is misleading; as of May 27, the app named in the posts is not a contact tracing app and is not being used by New Zealand's government as part of its coronavirus strategy; to date, the government's only coronavirus contact tracing app is voluntary for businesses and the public; shops in New Zealand are also not required to record consumer information for contact tracing purposes.
27 May 2020
More here.
481. This is not a photo of buses arranged by an Indian opposition party to transport migrant workers during the COVID-19 lockdown
A photo of a queue of buses in India has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim they were organised by a leading opposition politician to transport migrant workers who were left stranded after a nationwide coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the photo has circulated in reports since February 2019 about a Hindu festival.
26 May 2020
More here.
480. Madagascan president denies Putin ordered herbal drink touted as coronavirus remedy
A Facebook post shared thousands of times claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Covid-Organics, a herbal drink touted by Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina as a cure for COVID-19. The post claims that Putin urged Africans “not to follow” the World Health Organization (WHO), which has warned against untested traditional medicine. However, AFP Fact Check found no official reports from the Kremlin of any order and the Madagascan presidency denied the claims.
26 May 2020
More here.
479. Madagascan president has not called on African states to quit WHO
Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim that Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina called on African nations to leave the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the leader has criticised the agency for warning against a herbal remedy he recommends to treat COVID-19, AFP Fact Check found no public record of him making such a statement. The Madagascan presidency has also rejected the claim.
25 May 2020
More here.
478. Misleading claim circulates online that China and Japan have re-entered nationwide coronavirus lockdowns in May 2020
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim China and Japan have re-entered a strict coronavirus lockdown in mid-May 2020 following a “second wave” of the virus. The posts were shared as a "breaking news" alert on May 16. The claim is misleading; as of May 22, Japan has begun easing lockdown restrictions; on May 18, China put one city in Jilin Province under total lockdown but it has relaxed restrictions in other parts of the country.
25 May 2020
More here.
477. This is not a real image of Bill Gates in handcuffs, it's a doctored photo of a 2014 mobster arrest
Multiple posts shared with a picture of a hand-cuffed Bill Gates being led away by FBI agents allege the US billionaire has been arrested for biological terrorism. This is false; the image is doctored and actually shows the 2015 arrest of New York mobster Vincent Asaro. The report was first published by a satirical website but was reproduced elsewhere as real news.
22 May 2020
More here.
476. UN falsely accused of demanding Ecuador ‘legalize’ abortions to get COVID-19 aid
An article claims that a nearly $50 million United Nations humanitarian aid package to Ecuador is conditional on the South American country legalizing abortions. This is false; the UN said there was no such condition, and abortion is already allowed under limited circumstances.
22 May 2020
More here.
475. This is not a genuine news report stating that US President Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus -- the footage has been edited and the original said that one of the president's valets had tested positive
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim it shows that US President Donald Trump tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the video has been edited from a Fox News report about one of Trump’s valets testing positive for COVID-19 published on May 7, 2020.
22 May 2020
More here.
474. This is not a video of an Italian boy who lost his mother because of COVID-19; the child speaks in Spanish and the footage has circulated since before the first coronavirus death was reported in Italy
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube which claim it shows an Italian boy looking up at the night sky calling out for his mother who died from the novel coronavirus. However, the claim is false; the boy speaks Spanish in the video; the footage has circulated online before Italy recorded its first COVID-19 death in February 2020.
22 May 2020
More here.
473. Hoax list of 'COVID-19 safety guidelines' circulates in India
A list of purported COVID-19 safety guidelines has been shared in multiple Facebook and Instagram posts that claim it was issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s leading research group on the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the ICMR said it did not issue the purported advisory; an online search found the list was not included on ICMR's website or in guidelines from India's health ministry.
22 May 2020
More here.
472. Hoax government notice circulates in the Philippines about the civil service exam
A photo of a purported notice announcing that people who were unable to take the Philippine government’s civil service exam due to the COVID-19 pandemic will automatically receive a passing mark has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts. The claim is false; the Philippine Civil Service Commission (CSC) denied issuing the notice, and an online search found no such announcement about automatically passing delayed test takers.
22 May 2020
More here.
471. Hoax circulates about new 'COVID-19 vaccine law' in Western Australia
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times claim the Australian state of Western Australia has recently passed a “COVID-19 Emergency Powers Act” that authorises forcible medical examination and vaccination in schools. The claim is misleading; a spokesperson from Western Australia’s Department of Health told AFP no such law has been passed during the pandemic; as of May 2020, the state has no COVID-19 vaccine programme.
22 May 2020
More here.
470. This video does not show frogs for sale in China after coronavirus lockdown was lifted
A video showing hundreds of frogs being sold from the back of a truck has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it was taken in China after the country lifted its coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; this clip actually shows frogs being sold in Thailand.
22 May 2020
More here.
469. Post falsely claims there were no US flu deaths during COVID-19 crisis
A Facebook post shared 10,000 times claims no Americans died from the flu in 2020, suggesting that the national count of COVID-19 fatalities is exaggerated. This is false. Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 7,500 Americans are estimated to have died this year from influenza during the novel coronavirus.
21 May 2020
More here.
468. Gates Foundation targeted with misleading claims about India polio vaccine campaign
Social media posts and online articles shared tens of thousands of times claim that the foundation of billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates tested a polio vaccine in India that left at least 490,000 children paralyzed. The claim is misleading; official statistics show only a tiny number of cases in which the oral polio vaccine directly resulted in Indian children contracting the disease.
21 May 2020
More here.
467. This video shows an annual Hindu ritual and has nothing to do with coronavirus
A video viewed thousands of times on Facebook posts claims to show Indians throwing statues of their gods into a river after they allegedly failed to protect them from the new coronavirus. The claim is false; the clip dates back to at least September 2015, years before the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows a ritual during the closure of a religious festival dedicated to the Hindu god Ganesh.
21 May 2020
More here.
466. Freediver's video about face masks contains misleading claims, experts say
A video shared more than 10,000 times on Facebook features a freediving champion who claims that masks don't offer protection from the novel coronavirus and that the moisture created by breathing into a mask actually offers a fertile environment for the virus. However, experts told AFP that the video makes several misleading assumptions.
21 May 2020
More here.
465. Misinformation circulates about babies contracting Kawasaki disease during the coronavirus pandemic
Two photos have been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim that Kawasaki disease is spreading among babies during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is misleading; one of the photos has previously circulated in reports about a skin blister caused by a different disease; health authorities are still investigating cases of a Kawasaki-like condition observed in some children with COVID-19, and maintain that children remain “minimally affected” by the virus overall.
21 May 2020
More here.
464. Hoax circulates that Australian $10 notes feature images of coronavirus and Bill Gates
Photos of Australian $10 banknotes have been shared multiple times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that the note features images representing coronavirus and the billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates. The claim is false; the Reserve Bank of Australia said the images on the notes instead show a tree native to Australia and Australian writer Mary Gilmore.
21 May 2020
More here.
463. This is not a photo of Ramadan gift bags in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, it dates from at least 2015
A photo has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claims to show gift bags distributed to Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan by India’s Telangana state government during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false, this photo has circulated online since at least 2015; Telangana’s chief minister has announced it will not distribute Ramadan gifts this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
21 May 2020
More here.
462. Nigeria imposed a curfew to slow the spread of COVID-19, not to build 5G masts, it has not yet set up 5G networks
A post shared hundreds of times on Facebook claims that the Nigerian presidency imposed a curfew to allow Chinese companies to build 5G masts. This is false; the curfew is aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Authorities say 5G licences have not been issued to any firms in Nigeria -- Chinese or otherwise.
21 May 2020
More here.
461. This is not a video of crows flocking to the US during the coronavirus pandemic, it shows a swarm in Texas in 2016
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in May 2020 alongside a claim it shows crows “coming to Texas” after “attacking Wuhan, China”. The posts were shared as countries worldwide continue to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, which was first detected in Wuhan in December 2019. The claim is false; the video shows black birds swarming the US state of Texas in December 2016; the audio of the video in some of the posts has been manipulated.
20 May 2020
More here.
460. This photo does not show a packed plane in Indonesia during the coronavirus pandemic
A photo showing rows of passengers wearing face masks and shields on board a plane has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it was taken in Indonesia during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photo shows Indian nationals who returned home on a government-chartered flight from Singapore during the pandemic.
20 May 2020
More here.
459. Website falsely claims mask-wearing is mandatory in Canada during COVID-19
Articles claim that not wearing a mask in Canada during the novel coronavirus pandemic can lead to a Can$3,000 fine or jail time. This is false. Masks are required aboard airplanes and by certain stores, but AFP did not find any Canadian jurisdiction where wearing them on the street is mandatory.
19 May 2020
More here.
458. This list claiming to show viral outbreak originating in China from 1950 to 2019 is misleading
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook purport to show a list of notable viral outbreaks between 1950 and 2019 which “originated in China”. The claim is misleading; some of the viral diseases listed in the posts were first reported elsewhere in the world.
19 May 2020
More here.
457. Fake 'roadmap' for India's plans to relax coronavirus lockdown circulates online
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a purported roadmap for the Indian government's plans to ease a nationwide coronavirus lockdown alongside a claim that it shows an official government announcement. The claim is false; India’s official Press Information Bureau said the government had not release any such plan and labelled the posts “fake news”; the dates included in the purported roadmap corresponded with the Irish government's "roadmap for reopening society and business" during the coronavirus pandemic.
19 May 2020
More here.
456. Misleading article warns against face masks during COVID-19 pandemic
An article that has been widely shared on social media warns healthy people against wearing face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing alleged risks. But experts say masks can help curb the spread of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and that the article contains multiple false or misleading claims.
19 May 2020
More here.
455. US Vice President Mike Pence did not deliver empty boxes to hospital during the coronavirus crisis
A video has been viewed millions of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Weibo and Twitter alongside a claim it shows US Vice President Mike Pence delivering empty boxes to a hospital for a publicity stunt during the coronavirus crisis. The claim gained traction online after the the clip was aired on the US television show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel. The claim is false; the clip has been edited from a longer video which shows that Pence made comments about delivering "empty" boxes as a joke; Kimmel issued an apology about the misleading video broadcast on his show.
19 May 2020
More here.
454. Bill Gates did not say that a COVID-19 vaccine could kill almost one million people
An article circulating on Facebook claims that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said a COVID-19 vaccine could kill almost one million people, citing an interview he gave. This is false; Gates was talking about vaccine safety and the potential for side effects, and gave a hypothetical figure to illustrate the number of people who could possibly be affected by them worldwide.
18 May 2020
More here.
453. Misleading claims about face masks circulate social media
A post on Facebook criticizes the effectiveness of face masks in protecting the wearer from COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This is misleading; US health authorities recommend they be worn to stop the spread of the disease, not to prevent the wearer from contracting it.
18 May 2020
More here.
452. This photo does not show bodies of euthanised COVID-19 patients -- it is a 2015 image of a deadly hajj stampede in Saudi Arabia
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows bodies of elderly coronavirus patients who were euthanised by their governments as a “practical” response to the pandemic. The claim is false; the photo actually shows bodies of victims in a hajj stampede in 2015; the claim about governments euthanising COVID-19 patients is an old hoax previously debunked by AFP.
18 May 2020
More here.
451. This videos does not show sloth bears roaming a tea estate in Sri Lanka during the coronavirus curfew; it has circulated before the pandemic
A video of three sloth bears has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it was captured in Sri Lanka during a curfew implemented due to the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the clip has circulated in reports about sloth bears in south India since November 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic; a Sri Lankan wildlife activist told AFP it would be "highly unlikely" to see sloth bears in the Sri Lankan town which was cited in the misleading social media posts.
18 May 2020
More here.
450. Misleading claim circulates that Thailand tops global index for COVID-19 reponse and has lowest number of coronavirus cases
Multiple Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times claim that Thailand has “ranked no. 1 in the COVID-19 fight category” based on an international health security index. The posts add Thailand has the "lowest number of infected cases at present". The claims, however, are misleading; the index cited in the posts, the Global Health Security (GHS) Index, was published months before the COVID-19 pandemic; Thailand also does not have the lowest number of COVID-19 infections in Asia or worldwide, according to multiple international authorities.
18 May 2020
More here.
449. Experts dismiss purported doctor's 'ridiculous' claim that ingesting semen could cure COVID-19
A video has been viewed more than 100,000 times in multiple posts on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter in which a purported Philippine doctor claims ingesting semen could cure a patient infected with the novel coronavirus, citing a 2016 scientific study. The claim is false; the authors of the 2016 study told AFP the claim was "ridiculous" and their findings have “nothing to do with COVID-19”; as of May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is no cure for COVID-19.
15 May 2020
More here.
448. Children did not die from a COVId-19 vaccine in Guinea -- the video misrepresents a news report from March 2019
A YouTube video shared thousands of times claims that two children died from a novel coronavirus vaccine in Guinea. The claim is false; the video misrepresents a news report on children who fell ill in March 2019 after taking anti-parasite drugs. There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19.
15 May 2020
More here.
447. This video does not show a 5G mast in flames in the Italian city of La Spezia
A video has been viewed more than 100,000 times in multiple Facebook posts that claim to show a 5G mast burning in the Italian city of La Spezia. The claim is misleading; the video in fact shows a transmission tower in La Spezia with only 3G and 4G antenna; as of May 13, 2020, 5G has not been rolled out in the northwestern Italian city.
15 May 2020
More here.
446. Myth circulates online that prolonged use of face masks can cause hypercapnia
Multiple Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts shared hundreds of times claim that wearing a face mask for an extended period of time could cause hypercapnia, a condition caused by a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. The claim is misleading; health experts in Thailand have said that as of May 2020, there is no evidence that wearing a mask for a long period can cause hypercapnia.
14 May 2020
More here.
445. This video does not show social distancing failure on an Air India flight during the coronavirus pandemic
A video of a row between passengers and cabin crew on board a plane has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts which claim it was filmed on an Air India flight. The posts claim the the video shows the airline failed to enforce social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; Pakistan International Airlines said the video was taken aboard one of its flights in April 2020; the video has previously circulated in reports about a Pakistan International Airlines flight.
14 May 2020
More here.
444. This clip has been edited -- the original video shows Rahul Gandhi making a clear statement
A video clip of a leading opposition politician in India has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts alongside a claim that it shows him making a confusing remark about India’s system for classifying regional COVID-19 infections levels. The claim is false; the clip has been edited; the original video shows lawmaker Rahul Gandhi, the former president of the Indian National Congress (INC) political party, making a clear statement about the need for local control regarding COVID-19 classifications.
14 May 2020
More here.
443. This 2019 photo has been doctored to include a COVID-19 reference
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows a placard with a message congratulating Sri Lankan leaders for "eradicating" the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the photo has been doctored to include a COVID-19 reference; the original photo of a political placard was taken by AFP in November 2019 following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election victory.
13 May 2020
More here.
442. These videos show victims of a gas leak at a chemical plant in India in May 2020, not victims of COVID-19
Three videos have been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim they show people who died after contracting the novel coronavirus in India. The claim is false; the videos show the victims of a major gas leak at a chemical plant in India in May 2020.
13 May 2020
More here.
441. With Holocaust comparison, misleading Facebook post claims Bill Gates seeks 'digital tattoos'
A post shared more than 160,000 times on Facebook during the novel coronavirus pandemic says Bill Gates wants “digital tattoos” to check who has been tested, and asks if it would be “like holocaust victims have.” This is misleading. Gates has spoken of the need for “digital certificates” for vaccination and testing but there is no evidence he has been in favor of a visible mark, like a tattoo. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also said the claim is false.
13 May 2020
More here.
440. Ghana leader falsely claims his country fronts Africa's COVID-19 testing
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo claimed in a speech that his country had administered more COVID-19 tests per million people than any other country in Africa. However, the claim is false; AFP has found from available statistics that Ghana comes behind South Africa and at least two other African countries.
13 May 2020
More here.
439. Misinformation circulates about antiviral medicine remdesivir
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times claim the antiviral medicine remdesivir has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim is misleading; as of May 12, 2020, the FDA has only authorised the emergency use of remdesivir, an experimental drug, in treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals; as of May 12, 2020, there is no FDA-approved product available to treat COVID-19.
12 May 2020
More here.
438. This 2017 photo shows food waste in Australia -- it is unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic
An image of a truck dumping fresh tomatoes onto an empty field has been shared thousands of times in multiple Sinhala-language Facebook posts which suggest it shows a scene in Sri Lanka. The posts claim it illustrates the government’s failure to help farmers to sell their produce during a coronavirus lockdown. The claim is misleading; the photo has circulated in 2017 news reports about food waste in Australia.
12 May 2020
More here.
437. This video does not show shoppers in Pakistan fleeing police after flouting coronavirus lockdown -- it has circulated in reports since at least 2015
A video of people climbing down a building has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and WhatsApp alongside a claim it shows shoppers attempting to flee a shop after police discovered it had flouted Pakistan’s coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the footage has circulated online since at least 2015 in reports about a police raid on a brothel in Pakistan.
12 May 2020
More here.
436. ‘Plandemic’ video peddles falsehoods about COVID-19
“Plandemic” -- a slickly-edited, 26-minute interview with a discredited researcher -- has been widely shared on social media. But the video, which YouTube and Facebook are working to remove for violating content standards, contains multiple false or misleading claims, including about the novel coronavirus, experts say.
12 May 2020
More here.
435. This photo shows a Pakistani chief minister at iftar in Pakistan in 2018, not flouting COVID-19 lockdown measures in 2020
A photo of a Pakistani chief minister has been shared thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows him flouting Pakistan’s coronavirus lockdown measures at iftar, a daily evening meal enjoyed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. The claim is false; the photo in fact shows Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at iftar in 2018.
12 May 2020
More here.
434. US health authorities have not cut reported COVID-19 death toll
Posts on social media claim the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised down its death toll for COVID-19. This is false; the CDC says it has not cut its statistics on fatalities from the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and that its websites include two sets of figures -- one lower than the other -- based on different sources.
11 May 2020
More here.
433. Misleading claim circulates that flu vaccines make people more vulnerable to infections
An image purportedly showing an article about flu vaccination has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter posts alongside a claim that flu vaccines can make people more vulnerable to infections. The posts, shared in May 2020 during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, add that those who receive flu shots are “the first to die in an actual global pandemic”. The claim is misleading; the image in the misleading posts relates to a now-deleted article on a US-based non-commercial health site; epidemiologists and global health authorities say flu vaccinations make people's immune systems stronger, not weaker; as of May 2020, there is no evidence that people who are immunised against the flu are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
11 May 2020
More here.
432. This video has circulated online since at least 2017 -- two years before the COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter in May 2020 alongside claims that it shows an intoxicated police officer in India after the government allowed liquor shops to reopen during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. This claim is misleading; the video has circulated in media reports about a drunk police officer since at least June 2017.
11 May 2020
More here.
431. This is not a photo of a lone cleaner at Islam's holiest shrine; the image has been doctored and the original has circulated in reports about a Saudi policeman
An image of a person sitting near Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia, has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on online blogs. It was shared alongside a claim it shows a lone cleaner who was the only person permitted to sit around the Kaaba during the coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the photo has been doctored to remove two people standing near the Kaaba; the original image has circulated in media reports about a Saudi policeman praying at the Islamic shrine.
11 May 2020
More here.
430. This photo of parrots on sacks of grain has circulated online since at least 2014 -- years before the COVID-19 pandemic
A photo showing scores of green parrots sitting on sacks of grain has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it was taken during a nationwide coronavirus lockdown in India. The claim is false; the photo has circulated online since at least March 2014.
11 May 2020
More here.
429. This graphic about a 'COVID-19 lockdown extension' in the Philippines has been doctored
A graphic purportedly shows a news bulletin about an alleged extension of a COVID-19 lockdown in the Philippines until May 30, 2020, has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts claiming to reference a government announcement. The claim is false; the date on the graphic has been digitally altered; the Phillipine news organisation that published the original graphic condemned the doctored image as “fake news”; as of May 10, the Philippine government has not announced any further COVID-19 lockdown extensions after May 15.
11 May 2020
More here.
428. This video shows a street in Dubai, not Saudi Arabia, after authorities eased coronavirus lockdown measures
A video of a street parade has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube alongside a claim it shows people celebrating the end of a coronavirus lockdown in Saudi Arabia. The claim is false; the video was filmed in Dubai; the footage corresponds with media reports about residents celebrating on the streets after Dubai authorities eased 24-hour quarantine measures in two districts.
9 May 2020
More here.
427. This photo shows a 'die in' protest by environmental activists in Germany, not Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic
A photo showing dozens of people lying on the ground has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows the situation in Ecuador during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photo in fact shows an environmental protest outside a train station in Germany.
8 May 2020
More here.
426. Hoax circulates that ‘not a single vegetarian has contracted COVID-19 according to the WHO'
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared hundreds of times claim the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that no vegetarian has contracted the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the WHO denied issuing the report; as of May 2020, health experts have said there is no scientific evidence to suggest that a vegetarian diet prevents infection from COVID-19.
8 May 2020
More here.
425. A flu shot will not make you test positive for COVID-19
Posts on social media claim that people who have been vaccinated against the flu in the last 10 years will test positive for COVID-19. This is false; experts say the novel coronavirus that causes the disease is unrelated to the flu, and that data on approved COVID-19 tests does not support the claim.
7 May 2020
More here.
424. This photo has circulated in 2018 reports about Muslims offering Ramadan prayers in north India, it does not show violations of COVID-19 lockdown
A photo of hundreds of people praying together has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows Muslims in south India flouting the nation’s COVID-19 lockdown to offer night-time prayers. The claim is false; the photo was published by a photography agency in 2018 and shows Muslims in north India praying at night during the holy month of Ramadan.
7 May 2020
More here.
423. Misinformation on US flu shot ingredients resurfaces during pandemic
A widely-circulated image claims to reveal the ingredients contained in this year’s flu shots. The alleged ingredients include mercury, antifreeze, phenol, animal blood, animal viruses, and formaldehyde. Trace amounts of formaldehyde are present in flu vaccines authorized in the US this year, and the mercury-based product thimerosal is present in some of them. The photo’s list of ingredients is misleading and mostly inaccurate.
7 May 2020
More here.
422. This video shows a hospital in India, not Pakistan and the facility said they do not treat COVID-19 patients
A video of a woman claiming that pneumonia, HIV, and cardiovascular patients are being treated together in a hospital’s COVID-19 isolation ward has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter. The footage includes superimposed text that claims the hospital is the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, a state-run facility in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The claim is false; the video in fact shows a hospital in the Indian city of Mumbai; Abbasi Shaheed Hospital also refuted the claim and said that they do not admit COVID-19 patients in general.
7 May 2020
More here.
421. Doctored photo is latest disinformation directed at Bill Gates amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Social media users have shared a photo that claims to show a “Center for Global Human Population Reduction” affiliated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The image, however, has been manipulated. The stone signage it captures is the foundation’s Discovery Center in Seattle, which is not home to a depopulation effort, nor are the Microsoft co-founder and his wife behind any such initiative.
6 May 2020
More here.
420. This fabricated headline was added to a screenshot of a CNN interview
A photo shared hundreds of times on Facebook claims to show the American cable news channel CNN describing cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria as “false”, accusing the government of making them up to embezzle public funds. This is false: The image, taken from a CNN interview of New York's mayor, has been doctored and the false headline added to it.
6 May 2020
More here.
419. Footage of bodies at New York funeral home circulates with misleading claim in India
A video has been shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter in April 2020 alongside a claim it shows corpses in body bags at an apartment that is home to a New York-based Islamic group. The posts claim the victims died in the apartment after contracting the novel coronavirus because they ignored social distancing rules. The claims are misleading; the footage in fact shows body bags at an Islamic funeral home in New York during the coronavirus pandemic; a spokesperson for the mortuary told AFP that the deceased were people of many faiths.
6 May 2020
More here.
418. These photos do not show improved air quality in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 curfew, they are of the Philippine capital Manila
Three photos have been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim they show improved air quality in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo during a nationwide curfew implemented due to the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photos actually show the skyline of the Philippine capital Manila.
6 May 2020
More here.
417. This video shows a gathering at a mosque in Maharashtra before India announced a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown
A video of a group of men leaving a mosque has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter published in April 2020 alongside a claim it shows Muslims who gathered to pray in the Indian state of Gujarat in defiance of a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is misleading; the video has circulated in reports about a mosque gathering in the Indian state of Maharashtra one day before India announced a national lockdown.
6 May 2020
More here.
416. This video of Boris Johnson has circulated in media reports since August 2018
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alongside a claim it shows UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offering cups of tea to journalists after recovering from an illness. The posts were shared shortly after Johnson returned to work following hospital treatment for COVID-19. The claim in the social media posts is false; this video has circulated in media reports since August 2018, more than one year before the coronavirus pandemic and before Johnson became prime minister.
6 May 2020
More here.
415. Misleading mask graphic claims to show exact chance of COVID-19 spread
Graphics shared thousands of times on social media claim to show the exact probability of COVID-19 carriers spreading the disease if they or another person wears a mask. The claim is misleading; experts say that while masks do decrease the risk, there is no reliable information on the specific chance of transmission.
5 May 2020
More here.
414. This bill for medical services in Singapore was unrelated to COVID-19 treatment
A photo of a bill for more than SGD $180,000 (USD $128,000) from a Singapore hospital has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim the invoice was given to a coronavirus patient after treatment for the disease COVID-19. The claim is false; Singapore General Hospital (SGH) said the bill was for medical services unrelated to COVID-19; the photo was also taken from a fundraising campaign webpage for a woman who was described as suffering from illnesses unrelated to COVID-19.
5 May 2020
More here.
413. This video shows a police drill in India during the coronavirus pandemic, it does not show police detaining people for failing to wear face masks
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook in April 2020 alongside a claim it shows police in India detaining people in a van carrying a COVID-19 patient after they failed to wear face masks outside. The claim is misleading; a spokesperson for India’s Tiruppur Police told AFP the video was staged for a police drill during the coronavirus pandemic; the video has previously circulated in media reports about a police drill in Tiruppur district.
5 May 2020
More here.
412. This video has circulated since 2016 in reports about a noise complaint at a Mumbai mosque, it does not show a scene during the COVID-19 lockdown
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows a Muslim politician in India urging a police officer to open a mosque in order to allow people to pray during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; the video has actually circulated online since at least 2016 in reports about a noise complaint at a Mumbai mosque.
5 May 2020
More here.
411. Hoax report circulates about University of Oxford coronavirus vaccine trial
A report circulating in Sri Lanka claims that a COVID-19 vaccine trial at the University of Oxford in England has been "successful". The purported news article, which has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, states 72 out of 100 COVID-19 patients recovered from the virus after receiving the vaccine. The claim is false; as of May 4, 2020, researchers said the trial was ongoing and only included people who have never tested positive for COVID-19; the purported report was published on a blog site named "CNN Lanka", which has no relationship to the US-based media channel CNN.
4 May 2020
More here.
410. Residents in the US state of Pennsylvania are advised, but not required, to take COVID-19 precautions
A Facebook post shared more than 29,000 times claims people in Pennsylvania who do not wear a face mask in public during the novel coronavirus pandemic risk a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. This is false; authorities in the US state recommend wearing face masks as a precaution, but say they will not penalize those who do not.
4 May 2020
More here.
409. Trump makes false claims about COVID-19 testing
President Donald Trump has falsely claimed that the United States conducted more testing for COVID-19 than all other countries combined, and suggested that the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama left behind “bad, broken tests.”
2 May 2020
More here.
408. Canadian Muslims falsely accused of breaking COVID-19 distancing rules during Ramadan
Facebook posts accuse the Muslim community in Canada’s Calgary of breaking COVID-19 social distancing rules during Ramadan, using a photo of a crowded Islamic center as proof. This is false; the photo was taken during the Eid al-Fitr holiday in August 2019, and mosques in Calgary are closed.
1 May 2020
More here.
407. The video shows an interfaith prayer in Italy in remembrance of COVID-19 victims, not a Koran recitation
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim it shows a Koran recitation in Italy as part of the government’s effort to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is misleading; the footage shows an interreligious gathering held by the Diocese of Carpi in northern Italy to remember COVID-19 victims.
1 May 2020
More here.
406. This rendition of the Indian national anthem was produced in August 2017 to mark India’s 71st Independence Day, not to thank the country for supplying hydroxychloroquine
A video of young adults singing the Indian national anthem has been shared on Facebook and Twitter during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside claims that it shows American students performing to thank India for supplying the US with hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug that has been involved in clinical trials for potential COVID-19 treatment. The claim is false; this rendition of the Indian national anthem was produced in August 2017 to mark India’s 71st Independence Day.
1 May 2020
More here.
405. These are test kits made in South Korea, not a 'cure' for COVID-19
Multiple posts shared thousands of times on Facebook claim that the United States has found a cure for the novel coronavirus. This is false; the pictures being shared are of rapid test kits made in South Korea, while the hunt for a cure continues.
30 April 2020
More here.
404. Guinea has not ordered the arrest of all Chinese nationals
A video of a man rebuking foreigners has been viewed thousands of times on social media alongside a claim that the Guinean government has ordered the arrest of all Chinese nationals in the country while awaiting the safe return of Guineans from China. However, the video was actually recorded last year before the pandemic, and the Guinean government has not issued any such order.
30 April 2020
More here.
403. This may not be the best time to visit a hair salon – but there is no proof they have caused almost half of coronavirus deaths
Posts shared hundreds of times on WhatsApp and Facebook claim that hair salons are responsible for almost 50 percent of all coronavirus deaths. There is no evidence to support the claim, which has been ascribed to a non-existent US health chief.
30 April 2020
More here.
402. This photo has circulated in reports since 2013 about Muslims praying on a Sydney street
An image has been shared on Facebook in April 2020 alongside a claim that it shows Muslims praying on a street in the Australian city of Sydney. The image was shared as the city's residents continued to face stay-at-home orders during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Comments from some Facebook users on the misleading post indicated they believed the photo was taken during the lockdown restrictions, when in fact the photograph has circulated in reports since 2013 about people praying on a Sydney street during Ramadan. The same image has previously circulated with a misleading claim that it shows people praying on a street in the US.
30 April 2020
More here.
401. WHO warns against self-medicating for COVID-19 with aspirin, lemon juice and honey 'remedy'
Multiple Facebook posts claim that aspirin, lemon juice and honey have been combined to make a "home remedy" for COVID-19 in Italy. The claim is misleading; the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against self-medicating for COVID-19, saying there is no current medicine that can effectively treat the disease; official guidance released by the Italian Ministry of Health about the coronavirus does not mention the purported home remedy.
30 April 2020
More here.
400. This photo has circulated in reports since 2013 about Muslims praying on a Sydney street, it does not show prayer during the COVID-19 lockdown
An image has been shared on Facebook in April 2020 alongside a claim that it shows Muslims praying on a street in the Australian city of Sydney. The image was shared as the city's residents continued to face stay-at-home orders during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Comments from some Facebook users on the misleading post indicated they believed the photo was taken during the lockdown restrictions, when in fact the photograph has circulated in reports since 2013 about people praying on a Sydney street during Ramadan. The same image has previously circulated with a misleading claim that it shows people praying on a street in the US.
30 April 2020
More here.
399. This photo shows a nurse in India treating a man who sustained a leg injury, not one apologising to a Muslim man after accusing Muslims of spreading COVID-19
A photo has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows a nurse apologising to a Muslim man after she blamed the Muslim community for spreading COVID-19 in India. The posts claim the nurse was forced to apologise by a local politician. The claim is false; the nurse, the politician and local police all said the photo in fact shows a man receiving first aid after sustaining a laceration to his leg; additional photos and footage also show the man’s injury.
30 April 2020
More here.
398. These photos have circulated online since at least 2015 – years before the COVID-19 pandemic
An image has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit alongside claims that it shows trucks carrying COVID-19 relief that were set on fire by rebels of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. However, the image has been shared in a misleading context; it has circulated online since at least 2015 – years before the COVID-19 pandemic – in posts about supply trucks targeted by NPA rebels.
29 April 2020
More here.
397. Eating papaya salad does not prevent COVID-19 infection, health experts say
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which claims that eating papaya salad can help to prevent infection from the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim is false; as of April 2020, health experts have said there is no evidence that papaya salad can prevent people from catching the virus; the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that wearing masks, social distancing and washing hands regularly are the most effective methods of preventing infection.
29 April 2020
More here.
396. Footage of axe attack in Pakistan circulates as sectarian hoax in India after COVID-19 lockdown
A graphic video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows two Islamist extremists killing a Hindu man in the Indian state of Rajasthan during India’s COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; police in Pakistan and several media outlets report that the attack took place in Pakistan’s Punjab province in March 2020; people can be heard speaking in Punjabi in the video.
29 April 2020
More here.
395. Hoax text message circulated online about Australia's coronavirus contact-tracing app
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook which claim it shows a government text message about a new coronavirus contact-tracing app in Australia. The claim is false; Australian authorities said the purported text message was a hoax; the Australian Federal Police said it had launched an investigation.
29 April 2020
More here.
394. Nobel laureate Tasuku Honjo refutes 'false' quote attributed to him about the novel coronavirus
Multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and on various websites have shared a purported quote about the novel coronavirus from Japanese physician Tasuku Honjo, the 2018 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The posts, shared thousands of times, quote Dr Honjo as stating that the virus is “not natural” and was “manufactured in China”, as well as stating he previously worked at a laboratory in Chinese city of Wuhan for four years. The claim is misleading; Dr Honjo said he never made the purported comments, dismissing the posts as “misinformation”; his biography on the Kyoto University website shows he has never held a position at a laboratory in China.
29 April 2020
More here.
393. These photos show victims of a deadly heatwave in 2015 that killed hundreds in Pakistan, not of COVID-19 victims
Three photos showing dozens of body bags have been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook which claim they show the bodies of COVID-19 victims in Pakistan. The claim is false; the photos in fact show covered corpses in Pakistan after a severe heatwave in 2015 that left hundreds dead.
29 April 2020
More here.
392. This video shows the Philippine National Police conducting a training exercise, not shooting a man dead at a COVID-19 checkpoint
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows police shooting a man dead at a COVID-19 checkpoint in the Philippines. The claim is false; the Philippine National Police said that the video shows a “training drill”; a closer analysis of the footage shows the man moving several times shortly after the sound of a gunshot rings out.
28 April 2020
More here.
391. Viral videos of Africans attacked in China were filmed years ago
Videos showing black people being attacked by Asian people have been shared thousands of times online in recent weeks. Although Africans living in China have reported discrimination linked to the coronavirus pandemic, AFP Fact Check found that various widely-shared clips were filmed years ago and have nothing to do with the virus.
28 April 2020
More here.
390. The story of a NY funeral home employee accidentally being cremated during the COVID-19 pandemic was originally published on a satirical website
A claim that an overworked employee at a funeral home in New York City was accidentally cremated while taking a nap during the COVID-19 crisis has been shared repeatedly on blog sites, Facebook and Twitter. The claim is false; the claim originated from a satirical website; as of April 28, 2020, there were no credible reports that the story was based on a genuine incident; the photo used in some of the misleading social media and blog posts was taken from an unrelated media report.
28 April 2020
More here.
389. Posts misrepresent eligibility for US COVID-19 stimulus payments
Social media posts claim that US citizens married to immigrants are not eligible for relief payments available to many Americans under the stimulus package aimed at countering the economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is misleading; the restriction only applies to citizens who file their taxes jointly with a spouse who does not have a valid Social Security number.
28 April 2020
More here.
388. Britain’s first coronavirus vaccine volunteer has not died after trial jab
An online report shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter claims that one of Britain’s first volunteers to be injected with a trial coronavirus vaccine has died. However, the claim is false, originating from a website with a history of spreading misinformation. The volunteer, herself, has dismissed the report, which was also denied by UK health officials and the scientists behind the trial.
28 April 2020
More here.
387. False claim circulates that Pakistani plane transported Sri Lankan students home after COVID-19 lockdown
A claim that Sri Lankan students were flown home by Pakistan after they were stranded during the county’s COVID-19 lockdown has been shared on Facebook and WhatsApp. The claim is false; a group of Sri Lankan students in Pakistan were flown home to Sri Lanka on a SriLankan Airlines flight on April 21, 2020.
28 April 2020
More here.
386. This photo has circulated in reports about a market in Myanmar during the COVID-19 pandemic
An image has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows vendors observing social distancing guidance at a market in eastern Sri Lanka during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photo has circulated online in reports about a market in Myanmar.
28 April 2020
More here.
385. This photo shows Australia’s Bondi Beach in 2013, not one in South Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown
A photograph circulating on Facebook purports to be a screenshot from a TV news report showing a crowded beach in South Africa during the lockdown. The claim is false; the image has been doctored and actually shows Australia’s Bondi beach in 2013.
27 April 2020
More here.
384. Fake hiring phone numbers shared online in US as unemployment surges
With the novel coronavirus sending the US economy into freefall, posts that list phone numbers for job seekers to call and find work have been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Instagram. But the numbers do not reach hiring hotlines as claimed and the companies mentioned recommend looking for job openings on their official websites.
27 April 2020
More here.
383. Myth circulates online that COVID-19 symptoms progress in three distinct stages
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim patients infected with the novel coronavirus will experience respiratory symptoms that progress in severity in three distinct stages. The posts also prescribe purported home remedies for the disease, including eating garlic and gargling saltwater and vinegar. The claims are misleading; health experts have said COVID-19 symptoms vary from person-to-person; the purported coronavirus treatments listed in the posts have previously been debunked by AFP.
27 April 2020
More here.
382. This video does not show US printing banknotes during the coronavirus pandemic -- it's from a television show that first aired in 1991
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Twitter and Weibo which claim it shows US banknotes being printed during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The video has been shared in a misleading context; the clip was first broadcast in 1991 as part of a US television show, more than two decades before the COVID-19 pandemic.
27 April 2020
More here.
381. Misleading claim circulates online about Wuhan's coronavirus death toll after lockdown eased
A post has been shared repeatedly on Facebook by Sri Lankan Facebook users that claims 1,290 people died from coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan after the city's lockdown was lifted on April 8, 2020. The posts claim that Sri Lanka should avoid lifting its own lockdown restrictions due to an upcoming election in order to avoid a similar spike in deaths. The claim is misleading; Chinese officials added 1,290 fatalities to Wuhan's coronavirus death toll after the city lifted restrictions on April 8, but said these were COVID-19 cases that were missed during the earlier lockdown.
24 April 2020
More here.
380. Trump's idea to treat COVID-19 with disinfectant could cause deaths
US President Donald Trump has suggested studying the injection of disinfectant as a COVID-19 treatment. Medical experts and makers of the home cleaning product swiftly advised against it, pointing out that the chemicals cannot be absorbed by humans and warning that any ingestion could be fatal.
24 April 2020
More here.
379. There is no evidence that eating alkaline foods can prevent or cure COVID-19
A post has been shared multiple times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that claims consuming foods with a pH level above the pH level of the novel coronavirus could cure or prevent infection from the COVID-19 disease. This claim is false; health experts say there is no evidence to support the claim; as of April 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is no “cure” for COVID-19 and it “does not have sufficient data that an alkaline diet can protect specifically against COVID-19”.
24 April 2020
More here.
378. This video shows landmarks across China, but not Wuhan before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video featuring aerial shots of futuristic skyscrapers, giant bridges and other landmarks has been shared thousands of times on Facebook with claims that it shows Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the novel coronavirus pandemic emerged in December 2019. However, AFP found the video is a compilation of shots from various Chinese cities but not Wuhan.
24 April 2020
More here.
377. This video shows FBI agents seizing masks from alleged price gouger, not contaminated masks
A video with thousands of shares and more than 1.5 million views on Facebook claims to show FBI agents seizing masks infected with the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the clip shows a raid on the home of a man in New York arrested for allegedly coughing on FBI agents while claiming to have COVID-19 and lying to them about hoarding and selling medical supplies.
24 April 2020
More here.
376. Coronavirus pandemic triggers wave of Islamic-themed myths on social media
The spread of the novel coronavirus has triggered a torrent of misinformation on social media globally. Myths circulated online include crackpot cures for COVID-19 and conspiracy theories about its alleged origins. In the Islamic world, fact checkers have also observed a trend for social media posts containing false religious-themed claims about the virus. As of April 2020, AFP has debunked scores of misleading posts on this topic.
24 April 2020
More here.
375. No evidence that 5G radiation is harmful to human health, experts say
A graphic purporting to detail health risks due to 5G-induced radiation has been published on various websites and shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter. The image was shared as other hoaxes circulated claiming that COVID-19 is linked to the global rollout of 5G networks. The claim is misleading; radiation experts and health authorities maintain there is no evidence to suggest that the radiation emitted from 5G is harmful to human health.
24 April 2020
More here.
374. This photo does not show Muslims praying on rooftops in India during the COVID-19 lockdown
A photo of dozens of men praying on neighbouring rooftops has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows Muslim worshippers in India praying together in defiance of the country’s COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; the photo in fact shows people praying in Dubai.
24 April 2020
More here.
373. This photo has circulated in reports about Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia
A photo has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows labourers stranded in the western Indian state of Gujarat during a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; this photo has circulated online since November 2019, months before India imposed its lockdown; it has circulated in reports about Bangladeshi migrants at an immigration office in Malaysia.
24 April 2020
More here.
372. Posts target parents with misleading COVID-19 hospital visit rules
Facebook posts claim children infected with the novel coronavirus will be taken to hospitals unaccompanied, and that parents will not be allowed to visit. This is misleading; many hospitals have prohibited visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, but across Canada medical facilities have exceptions allowing a parent or guardian to be with pediatric patients.
23 April 2020
More here.
371. This footage shows people praying in Brazil -- not Italy -- during the COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook in April 2020 which claim it shows people praying on a street in Italy during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the footage in fact shows people praying outside a church in Brazil during the COVID-19 crisis.
23 April 2020
More here.
370. This is not a video of doctors trying on faultry gowns made in China; it's of French-made medical gowns that were damaged in storage
A video of hospital workers in France putting on tattered protective gowns has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that the garments were made in China. The claim is false; the hospital authority in the French city of Marseille said the protective gear in the video was produced in France and became damaged due to improper storage.
23 April 2020
More here.
369. This photo does not show Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte carrying out duties
A photo has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts in April 2020 alongside a claim it shows Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte carrying out presidential duties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is false; this photo has circulated in news reports since 2017 about the president’s visit to Marawi, a war-torn city in the country’s south that was then besieged by militants.
23 April 2020
More here.
368. This graphic with a purported quote from a top administration official in the Philippines has been doctored
A graphic with a purported quote from former Philippine presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo has been shared in multiple Facebook posts. The graphic, which appears to have been published by Philippine news outlet Inquirer.net, claims that Panelo said the poor are to blame for being unable to protect themselves from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this claim is false; the graphic was doctored to include the quote and was disowned by the Inquirer, which called on social media users not to share "manipulated" images.
23 April 2020
More here.
367. This video does not show a Muslim man spitting on police after a scuffle at an Indian coronavirus quarantine center. It has circulated in reports weeks before the incident
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows a Muslim man spitting at Indian police officers after being detained over scuffles at a coronavirus quarantine centre in April 2020. The claim is misleading; the video has circulated in reports since at least February 2020, weeks before the incident at the coronavirus quarantine centre; local police told AFP the video shows an incident in February 2020 and is unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic.
23 April 2020
More here.
366. This video does not show protesters in Italy chanting "Allahu Akbar" during the COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed more than one million times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok which claim it shows people in Italy chanting “Allahu Akbar” and seeking “help from Allah” during the coronavirus pandemic . The claim is false: the video was taken in the German city of Hamburg; it corresponds with reports about a January 2020 protest over the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China.
23 April 2020
More here.
365. South Africa’s education department says the 2020 school year can still be saved
Social media posts shared in South Africa claim that children in grades 1 to 11 will be promoted after the school year was cancelled because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claims are false and started circulating after an education expert called for an end to the academic year, an idea rejected by the Department of Basic Education.
22 April 2020
More here.
364. Online coronavirus scams spread in Nigeria amid lockdowns
African countries including Nigeria are experiencing an increase in the number of fraudulent activities on social media as internet fraudsters embark on scamming sprees amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP Fact Check has rounded up some of the most popular online claims fabricated to exploit unsuspecting internet users in the continent.
22 April 2020
More here.
363. This video shows FBI agents raiding a private home, not a synagogue
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raiding a synagogue that was used to hoard face masks and other medical equipment. The claim is misleading; the raid took place at a private home in New York City, not a synagogue.
22 April 2020
More here.
362. False advice on refusing vaccines circulates during COVID-19 pandemic in the US, Canada and Australia
Facebook posts shared in at least three countries as scientists work to develop a COVID-19 vaccine claim to offer a legal way to refuse vaccination. The claims are false; immunization is not compulsory in most Australian states and Canadian provinces, while exemptions can be obtained in the United States as well as Canada’s Ontario and New Brunswick.
22 April 2020
More here.
361. This picture shows the work of a make-up artist, not an infected hand
A photograph shared thousands of times on Facebook purports to show the blister-covered hand of a patient suffering from a new disease. The gruesome picture is in fact the creation of a make-up artist and medical experts told AFP the claim was “nonsense”.
22 April 2020
More here.
360. 5G deal between UK and Chinese tech company Huawei has not been cancelled
Multiple posts on social media in Nigeria claim that the United Kingdom terminated a deal with Chinese tech company Huawei after receiving contaminated coronavirus test kits. This is false; the UK has made no such move while the tainted test kits came from Luxembourg.
22 April 2020
More here.
359. This video shows monkeys swimming in a pool in India, not Pakistan, during the COVID-19 lockdown
A video of monkeys swimming in a pool has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it was filmed was shot in the Pakistani capital during a COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; the video actually shows monkeys enjoying a swim at a hotel in India during the COVID-19 lockdown.
22 April 2020
More here.
358. This is not a video of deer on a beach during the COVID-19 pandemic
A video of a deer running along a beach has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it was filmed on a beach in Spain during the COVID-19 lockdown. Other posts claimed the clip was filmed in Sri Lanka or India during COVID-19 lockdowns in April 2020. The claims are false; the video has circulated online since at least 2015 in reports about a scene captured by a French filmmaker in France.
22 April 2020
More here.
357. Misleading coronavirus information falsely attributed to Johns Hopkins
Social media posts attribute a list of points about the novel coronavirus to Johns Hopkins, a leading source of information on the virus. But the US university’s medical program said it is not the source of the claims, and while some are accurate, experts say others contain false or misleading information.
22 April 2020
More here.
356. Trump did not post this tweet about H1N1 pandemic in 2009
Posts shared more than 2,000 times on social media appear to show a 2009 tweet from Donald Trump criticizing then-president Barack Obama’s handling of the H1N1 pandemic and placing “ALL responsibility” on presidents in a crisis. This is false; the fabricated tweet has more characters than was allowed in 2009 and it does not appear in Twitter archives.
22 April 2020
More here.
355. Children with COVID-19 in the US do not have to be hospitalized alone
Facebook posts claim a child who is infected with the novel coronavirus will be taken to a hospital unaccompanied. This is misleading; many hospitals have prohibited visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, but even facilities in heavily-affected states have exceptions allowing a parent or caregiver to be with pediatric patients.
22 April 2020
More here.
354. Hoax circulates that viral outbreaks are linked to new telecommunication technologies
A hoax claim has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter that certain viral outbreaks in the last 100 years aligned with the introduction of new telecommunications technologies. The posts suggest that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is linked to the rollout of 5G mobile phone technology. The claim is false; health authorities and technology experts maintain telecommunication technologies have no relationship with the creation or spread of viruses.
22 April 2020
More here.
353. Burundi did not receive COVID-19 vaccines from China; a vaccine does not yet exist for the disease (as of April 21)
A post shared on Facebook and WhatsApp claims that China has sent COVID-19 vaccines to Burundi. The claim is false; China did donate medical supplies to the eastern African nation, but not vaccines, which do not exist yet for the disease.
21 April 2020
More here.
352. Albanian news anchors did not go 'topless' during the COVId-19 crisis. The broadcast aired years before the pandemic
A video of two Albanian female news anchors wearing revealing jackets on-air has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Twitter alongside a claim that they dressed promiscuously in a bid to persuade people to stay indoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is false; the footage first aired on an Albanian TV channel years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
21 April 2020
More here.
351. The World Bank did not praise Tanzania’s anti-coronavirus policies
Articles claiming the World Bank has applauded Tanzania’s anti-coronavirus policies have been widely shared, with one attracting thousands of interactions on Facebook. The publications claim the East African country was singled out for praise in a report for implementing “unique policies” in the fight against the novel coronavirus. But the report does not include any such mention and the World Bank has denied specifically highlighting Tanzania’s COVID-19 response.
21 April 2020
More here.
350. This photo was taken from the US television series "The Walking Dead" -- it is not an image of elderly COVID-19 victims euthanised by the government
A photo purporting to show a man walking through scores of corpses has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows that countries with high COVID-19 death tolls are euthanising elderly patients. The claim is false; the photo was taken from the US television horror series The Walking Dead; as of April 2020, there were no credible reports that governments were euthanising COVID-19 patients during the pandemic.
21 April 2020
More here.
349. Misinformation about fines in Singapore circulated online before face masks made mandatory in public
Multiple posts have been shared on Facebook in early April 2020 claiming that Singapore introduced fines of up to SGD$150 for anyone not wearing a face mask outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is misleading; on April 14, 2020, the Singaporean government announced fines of up to SGD$1,000 for those not wearing a mask outside during the pandemic; face masks had not been made mandatory in public and no fines were imposed in Singapore at the time the misleading claim was circulating online.
21 April 2020
More here.
348. This late pharmacist's husband and local Indian authorities said her death was not the result of pandemic-related violence
A photo of a woman lying in a hospital bed with medical equipment attached to her body has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside claims that the woman was a doctor who died after being beaten by a Muslim mob while trying to administer novel coronavirus tests. The claim is false; the late woman's husband and local police told AFP the woman's death was not the result of pandemic-related violence.
20 April 2020
More here.
347. Philippine regulators have not approved an 'immunity booster' supplement for COVID-19
An advertisement promoting a vitamin supplement that purportedly boosts immunity against COVID-19 has been shared in multiple Facebook posts. The advert includes a stamp that appears to show the product was approved by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the claim is false; the FDA said the product is unregistered and warned the public against “deceptive marketing” related to COVID-19, and the regulatory agency ordered the product’s manufacturers to halt “misleading advertisements” or face sanctions.
20 April 2020
More here.
346. Kenya governor quotes non-existent WHO research to defend alcohol donations
A video of Nairobi governor Mike Sonko claiming the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends drinking alcohol to help prevent the new coronavirus is circulating online. The claim is false; the WHO has, in fact, warned the public against excessive alcohol consumption during the pandemic.
20 April 2020
More here.
345. Misleading claim circulates on social media that pet owners should avoid touching animals after using hand sanitiser
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times in April 2020 claim pet owners should avoid touching their animals after using hand sanitiser because it contains toxic chemicals. The posts were shared as people around the world took steps to minimise the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim in the posts is misleading; experts told AFP that hand sanitiser is safe to use around pets and only large amounts of it could be potentially toxic to animals.
20 April 2020
More here.
344. This photo does not show throat infected with novel coronavirus
A photo shared thousands of times on Facebook claims to show the throat of a novel coronavirus patient. The claim is false; the image has circulated online since May of 2018, long before the COVID-19 pandemic.
20 April 2020
More here.
343. False claim circulates online that image shows starving Indian family who committed suicide during COVID-19 lockdown
An image has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows the bodies of an Indian family who committed suicide after running out of food during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; the photo has circulated online since June 2019 in reports about a murder-suicide in India’s Karnataka state, months before COVID-19 was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.
20 April 2020
More here.
342. Disposable surgical masks are not reversible
A post shared thousands of times on Facebook during the COVID-19 pandemic says disposable surgical masks should be worn “colored side out” if a person is sick. The claim is false; surgical masks are not reversible, a major US manufacturer of the products says.
20 April 2020
More here.
341. A video of an Italian woman who committed suicide after contracting COVID-19? The footage is from an Algerian TV drama
A video has been viewed hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows an Italian woman who committed suicide after contracting COVID-19. The claim is false; the video is a scene that was filmed for an Algerian TV drama, produced months before the COVID-19 pandemic.
20 April 2020
More here.
340. 'Riot' at a Malaysian customs office after Singapore's COVID-19 travel ban? The footage was shot in December 2019
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows Malaysian nationals storming a customs office in the Malaysian state of Johor after Singapore closed its borders in an effort to curb the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is false; Malaysian immigration authorities said the video was taken during an annual safety drill in December 2019; the video corresponded with photos of the drill published in December 2019 by police and local officials.
20 April 2020
More here.
339. Myth spreads online that Australian supermarkets have banned Chinese nationals during COVID-19 pandemic
A video that shows an argument between shoppers at an Australian department store has been viewed tens of thousands of times in Facebook and Twitter posts alongside a claim that Chinese nationals have been banned from supermarkets in Australia. The claim is false; major Australian supermarket chains told AFP there was no policy that bans Chinese people from their stores as of April 2020; the video in the misleading posts has circulated in media reports about a dispute in an Australian supermarket over baby formula.
20 April 2020
More here.
338. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is not alone in saying that the hydroxychloroquine drug has not been proven as treatment for COVID-19
Social media posts shared tens of thousands of times claim White House adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci stands alone in insisting hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness against COVID-19 is unproven, while Italy, France, Spain and Brazil say it “works.” This is false; health authorities in these countries say data on this treatment is “preliminary” and “not yet conclusive.”
19 April 2020
More here.
337. A video of Nigerians scrambling for food during the coronavirus lockdown? The footage was taken months before the pandemic
A video shared thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram purports to show hundreds of Nigerians scrambling for food amid a lockdown prompted by the novel coronavirus. However, the footage has been circulating on social media since at least March 2019, months before the start of the pandemic.
17 April 2020
More here.
336. Fake phone helplines in US provide offers of phone sex instead of tracking stimulus payments
Thousands of Facebook users in the United States are sharing 1-800 numbers that are supposed to help track stimulus payments promised by the federal government under a novel coronavirus economic aid package. The phone numbers, however, are not government hotlines, but were instead first shared as April Fools’ jokes, and greet callers with offers of phone sex.
17 April 2020
More here.
335. Zinc and tonic are not 'cures' for COVID-19
Social media posts recommend tonic water and zinc as a cure for a novel coronavirus infection, as the drink contains quinine, whose synthetic relative hydroxychloroquine is on trial as a COVID-19 treatment. The claim is false; quinine in tonic water is too diluted to have any effect, and there are no drugs proven to cure the disease.
17 April 2020
More here.
334. A photo of COVID-19 victims? No, the image shows victims of the 2004 tsunami in Thailand
A photo has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows bodies of those killed by COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the image is actually an Associated Press photo which shows victims of the December 26, 2004 tsunami in Thailand. The disaster, which became known as the Boxing Day tsunami, devastated more than a dozen countries.
17 April 2020
More here.
333. Video of a Koran recitation at the US Senate during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from an interfaith prayer service at a church in 2017
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook and YouTube in March and April 2020 alongside a claim it shows a Koran recitation during a US Senate meeting attended by President Donald Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is false; the video actually shows Trump attending an interfaith prayer service at a church after his presidential inauguration in January 2017.
17 April 2020
More here.
332. A photo of food parcels for Rwanda during the COVID-19 crisis? The image was taken before the pandemic
A widely shared picture purports to show food earmarked for distribution to families in Rwanda ahead of a coronavirus lockdown. This is false; the image has been circulating online since at least May 2019. Former World Bank chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was among those who fell for the hoax, sharing the photo with her 1.1 million Twitter followers.
17 April 2020
More here.
331. A video showing Muslims praying on the street in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic? The footage is from a protest in New York City in 2017
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows Muslims in the US praying on a street during the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the footage has circulated online since February 2017; it corresponds with other footage in reports about a February 2017 protest in New York City against President Donald Trump’s Muslim travel ban.
17 April 2020
More here.
330. This video does not show a temple that Indian authorities turned into a COVID-19 quarantine center, it's a lodging facility
A video has been shared in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts in April 2020 alongside a claim it shows a temple in India that was turned into a COVID-19 quarantine centre by the state government. The claim is false; the footage in fact shows a lodging facility, which is adjacent to a temple, that was repurposed as a COVID-19 quarantine centre during the pandemic.
17 April 2020
More here.
329. A video of a freight train carrying aid during the COVID-19 lockdown in India? The footage has circulated since at least 2009 -- more than a decade before the pandemic
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in posts on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube that claim it shows a freight train carrying essential commodities for those in COVID-19 lockdown in India. This claim is false; the video has circulated online since at least November 2009 and actually shows a regular goods train service in India.
17 April 2020
More here.
328. A photo of an Italian COVId-19 victim holding her baby for the last time? The image has circulated in reports about an infant awaiting a marrow transplant in 1985
A photo has been shared thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows an Italian mother holding her baby for the last time after becoming terminally ill with COVID-19. The claim is false; the photo has circulated in reports about a child who was awaiting a marrow transplant in 1985 in the US.
16 April 2020
More here.
327. A video of Brazilians participating in a COVID-19 vigil after Indian PM called for 'solidarity?' The footage predates Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for COVID-19 vigils
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows Brazilians participating in a candlelit vigil after India's Prime Minister called for people to hold "solidarity" vigils on April 3, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is false; the video was published online in reports about an event in Brazil before Modi’s calls for solidarity.
16 April 2020
More here.
326. These images show delivery of China’s medical supplies in Ghana, not Nigeria
Multiple posts shared with pictures of an aircraft delivering supplies claim to show the delivery of coronavirus vaccines from China to a Nigerian airport. This is false; the images were taken in Accra, Ghana, and show Chinese aid deliveries of medical supplies to 18 African countries -- including Nigeria.
16 April 2020
More here.
325. Video showing a fight between Kenyans and Chinese in Wuhan, China? The footage was filmed in New York
After the African Union expressed concerns about discrimination against Africans in Guangzhou, a video started circulating on Facebook and Twitter that purports to show a Kenyan couple involved in a fist fight with a Chinese couple in Wuhan. This claim is false: The video was in fact filmed in the Bronx district of New York in front of an Asian restaurant.
16 April 2020
More here.
324. This graphic with a purported quote from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been doctored
A graphic attributed to the state-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) that features a purported quote from Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook. The graphic claims that Duterte said the government has completed distributing cash assistance to those affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. But the graphic has been doctored; it has been manipulated to include the purported Duterte quote and has been disowned by the PNA.
16 April 2020
More here.
323. White House holds 'blessing ceremony' for Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic? The video shows President Trump with a US pastor at a White House event in September 2017
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts which claim it shows the secretary of Pope Francis holding a “blessing ceremony” for US President Trump at the White House during the COVID-19 pandemic. This claim is false; the video was first published online in September 2017 and shows Trump at the White House with Robert Jeffress, the pastor of the First Baptist Dallas Church and a member of the president’s evangelical advisory board.
16 April 2020
More here.
322. This video has circulated in reports about Pakistani police and security forces conducting a training drill at a quarantine centre
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows Pakistani security forces apprehending three men after they escaped from a COVID-19 quarantine centre. The claim is misleading; the footage has circulated in reports about a joint training exercise by Pakistani security forces and police outside a COVID-19 quarantine facility.
16 April 2020
More here.
321. Nigeria’s ex-vice president didn't promise to pay citizens to stay home during virus outbreak
An article shared thousands of times in multiple social media posts in Nigeria claims former vice president Atiku Abubakar pledged to pay 10,000 naira ($27) to every Nigerian to help them through the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; Abubakar's spokesman rejected it as "fake news" and the story originated from a website with a history of spreading misinformation.
15 April 2020
More here.
320. No scientific evidence that neem leaves can 'cure’ COVID-19 and its symptoms, doctors say
A claim that neem leaves can cure the novel coronavirus and relieve its symptoms has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts. The claim is false; Malaysia’s Ministry of Health and medical experts say there is no scientific evidence to support the claim. International health authorities also say there is no cure for COVID-19 as of April 2020.
15 April 2020
More here.
319. Philippine authorities warn anti-viral injection has not yet been approved for treating COVID-19
Multiple Facebook posts claim an anti-viral injection that was being developed in the Philippines in April 2020 is a cure for COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the purported treatment has not been licensed and warned against its use until it is “proven safe and effective” by regulators; the World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is no "cure" for COVID-19 as of April 2020.
15 April 2020
More here.
318. US Democrats did vote for legislation to combat the novel coronavirus crisis
Posts on social media claim that no Democrats voted for the “the stimulus package to help American families” during the novel coronavirus crisis. This is misleading; Democrats overwhelmingly backed two bills aimed at countering the virus and its fallout, and while senators from the party blocked an initial proposal for the third, they voted unanimously for a later version.
15 April 2020
More here.
317. South Sudan's chief justice and his family tested negative for COVID-19 (as of April 15)
A WhatsApp message circulating in South Sudan claims the chief justice’s son is critically ill with COVID-19. However, the health ministry said the senior official and his family tested negative for the disease, and his daughter told AFP he doesn’t have a son going by the name quoted in social media posts.
15 April 2020
More here.
316. New hoax circulates online that India has outlawed social media posts about COVID-19
A claim has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter posts that the Indian government has outlawed social media posts about the novel coronavirus pandemic through a piece of national legislation called the Disaster Management Act. The claim is false; Indian officials said the posts were “misleading and false”; AFP found two of the purported sections of the law cited in the misleading posts do not exist under the act and the other does not mention a social media ban related to COVID-19 content.
15 April 2020
More here.
315. Hoax circulates online that an old Indian textbook lists treatments for COVID-19
A photo has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that an Indian textbook published more than three decades ago lists possible treatments for COVID-19 patients. The claim is misleading; the textbook refers to coronavirus as a family of viruses, not the new strain detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. As of April 15, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) says no specific medicine has been discovered which will treat or prevent COVID-19.
15 April 2020
More here.
314. Sri Lankan health authorities said COVID-19 survivor sought shelter at a relative's home after consulting with them
A claim that a COVID-19 survivor in Sri Lanka violated an official home quarantine order has been shared widely on Facebook. The claim is misleading; multiple government health officials and the patient himself told AFP that he sought shelter at his sister’s residence, as agreed with health officials, because he was locked out of his own home.
15 April 2020
More here.
313. A video of a family of five devastated by COVID-19? No, the footage uses stock images
A video advertisement on Facebook encourages people to buy face masks for protection, as the novel coronavirus takes a deadly toll worldwide. The clip is misleading; it claims to show a family devastated by infection, as well as the doctor who invented the mask it is trying to sell, but the images are stock footage.
15 April 2020
More here.
312. Video of panic buying in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic? This video has circulated online in reports about Black Friday shopping in Brazil in November 2019
A video of people storming into a store has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim the video shows people panic buying in Malaysia during the country’s novel coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; this video has circulated online in reports about shoppers on Black Friday, an annual day of sales, at a store in Brazil in November 2019, weeks before the novel coronavirus was first detected in China.
15 April 2020
More here.
311. Newspaper claims Indian Muslim leader donated to Indian PM's COVID-19 relief fund? This image of a newspaper front page has been doctored
A purported image of a daily newspaper in Northern Ireland has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows a front page story about an Indian Muslim leader donating to the Indian Prime Minister’s novel coronavirus relief fund. The claim is false; the image has been doctored to include the fabricated story; there are no credible media reports that the Muslim leader cited in the misleading posts made any donation to the fund.
15 April 2020
More here.
310. COVID pandemic: misinformation spreads in Thailand about police powers to fine people who fail to wear face masks in public
A claim was shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and Line Messenger in March 2020 that police in Thailand could issue fines to anyone who does not wear a face mask in public during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; Thai legal experts told AFP there was no law in the country that allowed police to fine people for not wearing face masks as of March 2020; Thai police issued several statements calling the claims “fake news”.
14 April 2020
More here.
309. This video shows Afghan nationals leaving Pakistan during a temporary opening of the border
A video of hundreds of people crossing a border has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows people from Afghanistan entering Pakistan without being tested for the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the video in fact shows Afghan nationals leaving Pakistan after the border was temporarily opened in early April in order to allow Afghans to return home.
14 April 2020
More here.
308. Musicians reciting God's names during the COVID-19 outbreak in New Zealand? This video shows a choir concert in Turkey in 2011
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows musicians from various religious backgrounds reciting the names of God in Islam during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video shows a choir singing at a concert in Turkey in 2011.
14 April 2020
More here.
307. Video showing Muslim men licking crockery during the COVID-19 pandemic? This 2018 video shows Bohra Muslims practicing dining etiquette in Mumbai
A video has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows Muslims spreading the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, by smearing saliva on plates and utensils in the Indian city of Delhi. This claim is false; the video actually shows Bohra Muslims practicing their zero-waste dining etiquette in Mumbai, India in 2018.
14 April 2020
More here.
306. These photos circulated online before the Philippines imposed a lockdown on its main island
Three photos have been shared in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim they show an anti-government protest in the Philippines staged during a lockdown implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The claim is false; the photos circulated online at least one month before the Philippine government imposed a lockdown on its main island due to the coronavirus pandemic.
14 April 2020
More here.
305. Misinformation circulates online about Malaysia's coronavirus relief package for its citizens
A claim has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook that Malaysia has started distributing monthly compensation of 8,000 Thai baht (245 USD) to its citizens and has waived their electricity bills as part of a six-month relief package during the novel coronavirus crisis. The claim is misleading; as of April 2020, Malaysia’s coronavirus relief measures provided one-off payments as part of a means-tested financial assistance package; the measures included subsidised electricity bills for six months but did not waive them altogether.
14 April 2020
More here.
304. False ‘facts’ on USPS finances resurface on Facebook amid dispute over funding through the novel coronavirus crisis
A dispute between Congress and the Trump administration over funding to help the United States Postal Service (USPS) through the novel coronavirus led tens of thousands of people to share an old Facebook post claiming that the agency is not losing money and has no debt. This is false; the USPS had a net loss of $8.8 billion in 2019, and its total liabilities exceed $97 billion, according to official disclosures.
14 April 2020
More here.
303. A video showing Italian doctors who contracted COVID-19 while treating patients? No, the footage shows a scene from a Mexican television drama
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows two Italian doctors who contracted novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, while treating patients. The claim is false; the footage was taken from the 2010 Mexican television programme “Triunfo del Amor”.
14 April 2020
More here.
302. A video of a detector dog assaulted during a COVID-19 patrol? No, the footage was online at least a year before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in posts on Facebook, YouTube, Douyin and Weibo purporting to show a detector dog after it was assaulted during a security check amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The video has been shared in a misleading context; it has circulated online since December 2018, at least a year before the novel coronavirus was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
14 April 2020
More here.
301. Photo shows Mexico’s president, not Joe Biden, kissing child
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim a photo shows Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden kissing a child, criticizing him for doing so. This is false; the man pictured is Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
13 April 2020
More here.
300. Video of a satanic creature atop an Italian church? No, the footage shows computer-generated imagery superimposed on a cathedral in Nicaragua
A video purportedly shows a winged creature atop the dome of a structure has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows “the image of a devil” on the roof of a church in Italy. This claim is false; the "creature" is a computer-generated image superimposed on footage of the Cathedral of Granada in Nicaragua.
13 April 2020
More here.
299. A video showing a gay party in Italy ahead of the COVID-19 outbreak? No, the footage shows a carnival in Brazil in 2018
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts shared thousands of times show a video of crowds at a music event. Comments say the footage shows the “last gay conference” in Italy before the coronavirus outbreak. The clip is actually from a carnival in Brazil in February 2018, two years before Italy’s first confirmed COVID-19 case.
13 April 2020
More here.
298. Beijing and Shanghai have not been untouched by COVID-19
A claim that the novel coronavirus was never detected in the major Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The claim is false; both Beijing and Shanghai, China’s two most populous cities, have reported confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths since January 2020.
13 April 2020
More here.
297. A photo of Italian medics who died of COVID-19? No, the image is from the US medical TV drama "Grey's Anatomy"
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows doctors and nurses in Italy who died from COVID-19. The claim is false; the photo is in fact a still from the American medical television series Grey's Anatomy.
13 April 2020
More here.
296. The World Health Organization (WHO) did not issue this 'protocol' for COVID-19 lockdown
A post has been shared multiple times on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter by India-based users alongside a claim that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines on COVID-19 lockdown. This claim is false; both the WHO and Indian officials clarified that the "protocol" is fake.
13 April 2020
More here.
295. A photo of a Nigerian actress serving punishment for partying during the coronavirus lockdown? The image is of a waste management officer that's been circulating since 2018
A photograph has been shared hundreds of times in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts with claims that it shows Nigerian movie star Funke Akindele Bello picking up waste in the street as a punishment for throwing a party during the COVID-19 lockdown. The claim is false; the photo was first published online long before the pandemic and shows a waste management officer.
10 April 2020
More here.
294. South Africa leader did not ask foreigners to leave the country due to COVID-19
Dozens of posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook and WhatsApp claim that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa told foreigners to leave the country to minimise the spread of the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; he has made no such announcement and the Department of Home Affairs refuted the claim.
10 April 2020
More here.
293. How to spot COVID-19 misinformation on WhatsApp
AFP has debunked multiple claims shared millions of times on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease in December 2019. But with over 65 billion messages sent worldwide every day, WhatsApp, one of the biggest platforms for sharing misinformation in Africa, remains a challenge. AFP fact checkers explain how you can spot false COVID-19 claims on WhatsApp.
10 April 2020
More here.
292. A video of spooky drone deployed in Australia to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown? The footage has circulated online since at least 2016 about a prank in Brazil
A video of a ghost-like drone scaring people off the street has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Weibo alongside a claim that the footage shows a drone being used to enforce social distancing during the novel coronavirus pandemic in the Australian city of Brisbane. The claim is false; the video was published online in 2016 in a post about a prank in São Paulo, Brazil.
10 April 2020
More here.
291. Nigeria did not spend 1 billion naira on a COVID-19 text message awareness campaign
A screenshot of a web publication has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that claim the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said it spent a billion naira ($2.78 million) on COVID-19 text message awareness campaign. However, this is false; the claim stemmed from a fabricated tweet, and was denied by Nigeria’s health authorities.
10 April 2020
More here.
290. Senegalese children did not die from a coronavirus vaccine (which does not yet exist)
A Facebook post shared thousands of times claims seven children died in Senegal after being given a COVID-19 vaccine. This is false; scientists are still working to find a vaccine and Senegal’s health ministry told AFP the incident never happened. The video in the post actually shows people gathering after they heard rumours that a door-to-door salesman was vaccinating locals.
10 April 2020
More here.
289. Police officer beating in Indian temple after trying to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown? No, the footage was uploaded to an Indian wrestling-themed YouTube channel in June 2019
A video purports to show a police officer being beaten has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that the assault at a temple in India was sparked by the officer's attempt to enforce a nationwide novel coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the footage was taken from a video of a staged fight that was uploaded to a wrestling-themed YouTube channel in June 2019.
10 April 2020
More here.
288. Philippine hospital has not found correlation between grocery shopping and COVID-19 among its novel coronavirus patients (as of April 10).
A claim that data from a hospital in the Philippines shows a correlation between grocery shopping and COVID-19 has been shared more than 1,000 times on Facebook and Twitter. This is misleading; the hospital refuted the claim, saying "no such observed trend" had been found among its COVID-19 patients.
10 April 2020
More here.
287. Video showing bodies of COVID-19 victims who committed suicide in the US? The footage first appeared in 2014 reports about migrants who drowned off the Libyan coast
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Weibo and Twitter that claim it shows people who committed suicide in the US after getting COVID-19. The claim is false; the video was published in 2014 news reports about a group of migrants who died after a boat sank off the coast of Libya.
10 April 2020
More here.
286. Non-profit hospital in Pakistan refutes misleading claim it charged patients for COVID-19 tests
A claim that a charitable hospital in Pakistan charged patients for novel coronavirus tests has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter. But the claim is misleading; the hospital, which was founded by Prime Minister Imran Khan, denied charging a fee, saying in a statement that eligible patients have been receiving free tests; the health minister of Punjab also denied the claim.
10 April 2020
More here.
285. Video of soldiers beating Nigerians for flouting COVID-19 lockdown? No, old footage of police offiers in Ghana
A video showing law enforcement officers beating civilians is being shared on Facebook and WhatsApp in Nigeria, with claims that it shows Nigerian soldiers beating citizens while enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown in the country. This is false; the video is old and shows police officers carrying out a beating in Ghana.
9 April 2020
More here.
284. No, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth did not mention the Philippines in her speech on the novel coronavirus
A graphic has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it contains a quote from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in which she praises Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for his efforts to curb the novel coronavirus pandemic. The posts allege that the Queen made the remarks during her televised speech on April 6, 2020. However, the claim is false; Duterte was not mentioned in the Queen’s address and the image has been doctored from another graphic that contains a genuine quote by the Queen.
9 April 2020
More here.
283. This is not a photo of two nurses treating COVID-19 patients in Italy
A photo of a couple locked in an intimate embrace with their face masks lowered has been shared in Facebook posts that claim they were nurses who were treating COVID-19 patients in an Italian hospital. This is false, the photo was taken by an Associated Press photographer at Barcelona’s airport.
9 April 2020
More here.
282. UAE Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi did not ban the burial of COVID-19 victims in Sharjah in April 2020
A claim has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter in Sri Lanka that the ruler of Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), banned burials of people who died after contracting the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the UAE Embassy in Sri Lanka refuted the claim and said Sharjah ruler's Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi only said that novel coronavirus vicitms should not be buried in one specific location in Sharjah.
9 April 2020
More here.
281. French doctor did not urge Africans to avoid a “Bill Gates vaccine”
A post shared hundreds of times on Facebook claims that Didier Raoult, a French specialist in infectious diseases, is urging Africans “not to take Bill Gates vaccine” against coronavirus as it contains “poison”. This is false: the institute which Raoult directs denied he ever made these claims; moreover, no vaccine yet exists against coronavirus.
9 April 2020
More here.
280. Hoax circulates online that people wearing shoes indoors triggered hike in COVID-19 cases in Italy
A post has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and on messaging app Line that claims Italy suffered a spike in novel coronavirus infections as a direct result of Italian citizens wearing shoes in their homes. The claim is misleading; health experts told AFP that wearing shoes indoors cannot directly cause COVID-19 infections; doctors recommend adopting thorough personal hygeine routines to lower the risk of COVID-19 infection.
9 April 2020
More here.
279. A video of a 'first Islamic call to prayer in Spain in 500 years' during the coronavirus pandemic? The footage was filmed in Azerbaijan in November 2019 and there has been no ban on the Islamic call to prayer in Spain in recent times
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook, YouTube and Twitter posts alongside a claim it shows the Islamic call to prayer being heard in Spain during the COVID-19 epidemic for the first time in 500 years. The claim is false; the video was filmed in Azerbaijan in November 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic; there has been no ban on the Islamic call to prayer in Spain in recent times.
9 April 2020
More here.
278. Video shows Indian activist being arrested after buying alcohol during the COVID-19 lockdown? No, the footage circulated about Trupti Desai's arrest in September, 2019
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter in April 2020 alongside a claim it shows the arrest of Indian activist Trupti Desai after she attempted to buy alcohol during a government-imposed lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The claim is false; this video has circulated in reports about Desai's arrest during a protest against the sale of alcohol in Maharashtra state in September 2019; the reports circulated months before the novel coronavirus was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
9 April 2020
More here.
277. These 10 tips for preventing COVID-19 contain false information
Social media posts shared thousands of times advocate 10 methods to prevent a novel coronavirus infection, citing recommendations allegedly stemming from autopsies on COVID-19 victims, including in China, where the virus first emerged. The advice is misleading; experts say the list includes half-truths and outright falsehoods.
9 April 2020
More here.
276. This Sri Lankan spice manufacturer said it has used the logo since 2007, years before the political party was established
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim it shows that packets of spice included in Sri Lankan government ration kits during the COVID-19 lockdown were branded with a local political party's logo. The posts allege that the photo is evidence vulnerable people are being exploited during the pandemic for political gain. The claim is misleading; both the manufacturer and retailer told AFP that it has used the logo on its packaging since at least 2007; the logo is not identical to the cited political party’s electoral symbol, which the party adopted in 2016.
9 April 2020
More here.
275. A photo taken in 2016 of tank in Toronto resurfaces amid COVID-19 outbreak
As a special task force assembled earlier this month to help in the handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, a photo of a tank on Toronto’s Dundas Square surfaced on social media. However, the photo was taken in 2016 during a festival and no tanks were used to move troops throughout the Greater Toronto Area, army representatives told AFP.
8 April 2020
More here.
274. Photo of coffins of coronavirus victims in Italy? This photo has circulated in reports about the coffins of earthquake victims in Italy in 2009
A photo has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows coffins of coronavirus victims in Italy. The claim is false; the photo has circulated in media reports since 2009 about the coffins of earthquake victims in the Italian city of L’Aquila.
8 April 2020
More here.
273. Video of Spanish police transferring people to quarantine centers? This video was shot in Azerbaijan in October 2019 during an anti-government protest
A video viewed thousands of times in Nigeria and shared in multiple Facebook posts claims to show police in Spain rounding up people aged 50 and above to transfer them to quarantine centers amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the footage was circulating months before the outbreak and actually shows police in Azerbaijan detaining anti-government protesters in the capital Baku.
8 April 2020
More here.
272. This video was edited to make it look like South Africa’s leader announced an 81-day lockdown
Video posts viewed thousands of times purport to show South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announcing an alleged 81-day lockdown. But the video has been edited to change the context of an earlier speech he made during a national news broadcast. The TV channel which aired the original segment has refuted the doctored video and there have been no official announcements from the presidency to extend the ongoing 21-day lockdown set to end on April 16, 2020.
8 April 2020
More here.
271. Misleading claim circulates that Muslims ignored COVID-19 curfew at Sri Lankan mosque
A claim has been shared on Facebook and several Sri Lankan news websites that Muslims at a mosque in Sri Lanka reacted violently after authorities told them their gathering was in violation of the country's novel coronavirus curfew. The claim is misleading; police and public health officials said that locals were in fact asked to gather at the mosque to receive tests to detect COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The scuffle that occurred at the event was sparked over fears that the testing site would make the village more susceptible to infections, they said.
8 April 2020
More here.
270. Nigerian health authority denounces fake social media accounts
Social media accounts purporting to represent the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control have proliferated since February, when Africa's most populous country recorded its first case of COVID-19. AFP Fact Check rounds up some of the most popular fake accounts.
8 April 2020
More here.
269. A photo of a boy who died of COVID-19 in the UK? This photo has circulated in reports about an Irish teenager who died in 2017
A photo of a young boy has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and various websites alongside a claim that it shows a 13-year-old who died after contracting the novel coronavirus in the UK in 2020. The claim is false; the photograph has circulated in reports since 2017 about a teenager who died in Ireland.
8 April 2020
More here.
268. Gates Foundation urges netizens to stop sharing fake 'Bill Gates coronavirus letter'
An "open letter” purportedly written by US billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates about the novel coronavirus pandemic has been shared in English and Chinese on Facebook, Twitter and various websites. The Chinese-language posts state the letter was translated from its original publication in British newspaper The Sun. But the letter is fake; Gates’ philanthropic organisation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, clarified on Weibo that the letter presents “false information” and urged netizens to stop sharing it. The Sun has reportedly removed the letter from its website.
8 April 2020
More here.
267. There is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through fruits and vegetables
Multiple posts shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter claim that a Hong Kong medical lab has warned the novel coronavirus can remain viable on fruits and vegetables for 12 hours, therefore people should "avoid salads" over fears of contracting COVID-19. The claim is false; the Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong said there is no evidence to suggest that the virus is transmitted through food produce; the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have also separately said there is "no evidence" that COVID-19 has been transmitted through food.
8 April 2020
More here.
266. Hoax circulates online that funerals for COVID-19 victims are banned in Pakistan
A purported notice issued by the Pakistan Red Crescent and Pakistan’s Health Department on COVID-19 isolation rules has been shared thousands of times on Facebook. The advisory claims that families of those killed while in isolation will not be able to hold funerals or burials for them. The claim is false; the Pakistan Red Crescent denied issuing such a statement, and Pakistan’s health authority does allow funerals for those killed by the novel coronavirus.
8 April 2020
More here.
265. Video of looting during the novel coronavirus lockdown in the UK? The footage shows riots in London in 2011, nine years before the COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows people rioting and looting shops in England during the coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the video has circulated online since August 2011 about riots in the British capital of London.
8 April 2020
More here.
264. Video of Italians praying outside together during the pandemic? This video actually shows worshippers in Peru in 2019
A video of dozens of people praying outdoors has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim it shows Italians praying during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the footage in fact shows a prayer event in Peru in December 2019, weeks before Italy reported its first case of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
8 April 2020
More here
263. Misinformation circulates online about COVID-19 cases and lockdown measures in Asia
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times in April 2020 purport to compare novel coronavirus lockdown measures in countries including South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. The posts claim the virus is now "gone" in South Korea because residents stayed at home for three weeks and that the epidemic has been “controlled” in Japan. The posts also claim that by contrast, people in the Philippines have taken a careless aproach to the virus. The claims are misleading; official data shows South Korea continued to face new cases of COVID-19 in April 2020; officials in Japan said COVID-19 cases were rapidly increasing in the same month.
8 April 2020
More here.
262. The CEOs of these companies did not all step down during novel coronavirus crisis
A post shared thousands of times on Facebook lists companies whose chief executive officers have allegedly stepped down during the novel coronavirus crisis. This is misleading; some of the 19 CEOs remain in their positions, while the announcements that others were leaving came before the virus emerged in late 2019.
7 April 2020
More here.
261. No, these videos do not show recent looting in South Africa
A couple of videos shared this month on Facebook purportedly show recent lootings in shops in South Africa, while the country undergoes a 21-day lockdown to minimise the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, both videos show footage of earlier looting incidents and were already circulating online last year.
7 April 2020
More here.
260. South African hospital group rejects claim that lab found COVID-19 on fresh produce
Posts shared on Facebook and WhatsApp claim a South African hospital found that traces of the novel coronavirus had survived on the surface of fresh food items for 12 hours during lab tests. The claim is false and was dismissed by the hospital’s owners Netcare, which denies even having a laboratory at the facility in question.
7 April 2020
More here.
259. Video of corpses in body bags strewn across the floor of a New York hospital? The footage was shot in Ecuador, not New York
A video purportedly showing COVID-19 victims in body bags strewn across the floor of a New York hospital was shared several thousand times in multiple languages on social media. The claim is false; the key footage was shot in Ecuador, not Manhattan, and a US healthcare spokeswoman said the allegations amounted to “abhorrent misinformation.”
7 April 2020
More here.
258. This poem was written in 2020 specifically about the COVID-19 pandemic, it's not 19th century verse about self-isolation.
A poem about people self-isolating at home has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter in April 2020 alongside a claim that it was written in the 19th century and reprinted during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. The posts, published as the world continued to endure the spread of the novel coronavirus, claim the poem is evidence that "history repeats itself". The claim is false; the poem was first published online in March 2020 by a retired teacher in the US during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
7 April 2020
More here.
257. Photo of pastor being beaten for defying coronavirus laws in Nigeria? This is an AFP photo shot in 2006 during an unrelated incident.
An image has been shared multiple times on Facebook in Liberia in support of a claim that pastors were beaten for defying government restrictions on religious gatherings amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Although a police crackdown on churches took place, the use of the picture in this context is false as it was shot years ago at an unrelated event.
7 April 2020
More here.
256. Sanskrit teacher reciting verses on Spanish radio during the pandemic? No, the footage was recorded in London in November 2019.
A video of a woman reciting Sanskrit verses has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that she was delivering sacred verses on a Spanish radio station during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video was recorded by a London-based Sanskrit teacher who published the footage on her official social media accounts in November 2019, weeks before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
7 April 2020
More here.
255. These photos have circulated online since at least March 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic
Two photos showing notes scattered on a street have been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and YouTube alongside a claim they were taken in Italy during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The posts claim Italians have thrown money out of their homes in a symbolic gesture to highlight that money is futile during the pandemic. The claim is false; the photos have circulated online since at least March 2019 in reports about two separate incidents in Venezuela.
7 April 2020
More here.
254. Hoax circulates in India that government has banned coronavirus-related posts on social media
A claim that India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has made it a “punishable offence” for citizens to publish posts on social media about the novel coronavirus has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. The claim is false; India’s official Press Information Bureau said it had made no such law; an online search for the purported government minister who issued the alleged ban yielded no results.
7 April 2020
More here.
253. This CNN broadcast has been doctored, Nigerian leader did not test positive for coronavirus
An image of a purported CNN broadcast shared thousands of times in multiple social media posts claims Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari and his chief of staff Abba Kyari tested positive for the novel coronavirus. But while Kyari has indeed tested positive for the virus, there is no evidence to support the claim that Buhari was infected with COVID-19. The picture of the alleged broadcast was fabricated using another screenshot of a CNN show.
6 April 2020
More here.
252. A Sri Lankan doctor develops COVID-19 test kits in Australia?The doctor interviewed in this report did not say he was involved in the development of COVID-19 test kits.
A video has been viewed thousands of times in Facebook posts alongside a claim it shows a Sri Lankan doctor who invented a rapid test kit for the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim is false; the doctor seen in the video was being interviewed by an Australian television channel to discuss the benefits of rapid COVID-19 testing; the doctor told AFP he was not involved in the development of testing kits.
6 April 2020
More here.
251. Italians singing Chinese song to thank China for COVID-19 aid? This video shows a Belarusian band singing a Chinese song before the COVID-19 outbreak.
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows Italian nationals expressing their gratitude to China for providing aid during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video shows a Belarusian band singing a Chinese song several months before COVID-19 was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
6 April 2020
More here.
250. Video of police detaining people during the novel coronavirus lockdown in Spain? No, this video has circulated in reports about an anti-government protest in Azerbaijan in 2019.
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in March 2020 alongside a claim that it shows police in Spain detaining people during a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video has circulated in reports about an anti-government protest in Azerbaijan in October 2019.
6 April 2020
More here.
249. No, this orangutan is not washing his hands during the COVID-19 pandemic, the footage has circulated since at least November 2019.
A video of an orangutan washing its hands has been viewed millions of times in Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts which claim the animal was imitating its zookeepers during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video of the orangutan has circulated in reports since at least November 2019, weeks before COVID-19 was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.
6 April 2020
More here.
248. A video of Chinese people toppling 5G towers over coronavirus fears? No, footage of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong in August 2019.
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Instagram and YouTube posts which claim it shows people in China toppling a 5G tower because of fears that they cause the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the video shows pro-democracy protesters toppling a smart lamppost in Hong Kong in August 2019, several months before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
6 April 2020
More here.
247. Experts dismiss claims that 5G wireless technology created the novel coronavirus
Numerous conspiracy theories shared on and off social media claim that 5G mobile networks are the cause of the novel coronavirus pandemic. This is false; experts told AFP that 5G is based on radio frequency and that this does not create viruses.
3 April 2020
More here.
246. This video has circulated in reports about people who died during the Hajj pilgrim to Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque in August 2019
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows bodies being removed from a hospital in Iran during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video has circulated in reports since at least August 2019 about a funeral procession for pilgrims who died during the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia's Grand Mosque.
3 April 2020
More here.
245. Extinction Rebellion said it did not issue this poster about the coronavirus
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows a poster issued by activist group Extinction Rebellion that states “Corona is the cure, humans are the disease”. The claim is false; Extinction Rebellion said that the image was published by an unaffiliated Twitter account and that the poster’s message in “no way” represents the global environmental movement’s “principles and values”.
3 April 2020
More here.
244. New misinformation circulates online in Asia about creation of vaccine and drug for COVID-19
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter in March 2020 claim a new vaccine and a new drug have been developed to prevent and treat the novel coronavirus. The posts claim the developments were made by scientists in Japan and the Philippines respectively. The claims are misleading; the Japanese government announced in late March 2020 that Japanese scientists were testing a new drug, not a vaccine, to treat COVID-19; the Philippine Food and Drug Administration warned the other drug cited in the misleading posts was "unregistered" and not safe.
3 April 2020
More here.
243. This photo shows trucks branded with the image of the current Sri Lankan Prime Minister that were used in 2014
A photo of a fleet of blue lorries bearing the image of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has been shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that the lorries were distributing food during the novel coronavirus curfew. The claim is misleading; the photo in fact shows lorries that were used in a political initiative in 2014, more than five years before the coronavirus pandemic. Rajapaksa’s office also denied the claim, saying that authorities are pursuing legal action against those spreading the “false information”.
3 April 2020
More here.
242. Singaporean authorities refute hoax about 'spot fines' for people violating social distancing orders
A post has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook which claim that Singapore has started enforcing spot fines for people who flout certain social distancing regulations during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the Singaporean government agency overseeing the enforcement of the social distancing order refuted the claim; there is no mention of spot fines for offenders in the recently announced government regulations.
3 April 2020
More here.
241. Misleading posts claim ventilators are ‘stuck’ in New York warehouse
Facebook posts featuring a photo of ventilators in the US state of New York claim the devices are “stuck in a warehouse.” This is misleading; New York is stockpiling supplies because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, but emergency response staff say those in the photo were sent to hospitals within 24 hours of their receipt.
3 April 2020
More here.
240. Ethiopia has not approved traditional medicine to treat COVID-19
An article shared hundreds of times on Facebook claims that the Ethiopian government has approved a traditional medicine treatment for COVID-19 after successful clinical trials on animals and humans. However, the Ministry of Health denied the claims and Capital Ethiopia, which published the story, has corrected its Facebook post.
3 April 2020
More here.
239. Facebook posts falsely claim the US arrested a Chinese scientist who “created” coronavirus
Facebook posts shared thousands of times feature a video of US officials talking to reporters, with captions claiming they are announcing the arrest of a Chinese scientist who “created” the new coronavirus. However, the footage has nothing to do with COVID-19 and scientists have refuted allegations the virus was deliberately created.
3 April 2020
More here.
238. This video shows donations for victims of a deadly earthquake that hit eastern Turkey in January 2020
A video of food packets deposited on a street has been viewed millions of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows food donations for people in Turkey during a novel coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the video shows donations for victims of a deadly earthquake that struck eastern Turkey in January 2020, almost two months before Turkey recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.
3 April 2020
More here.
237. WHO did not warn against eating cabbage during the COVID-19 pandemic
Multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter claim the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against eating cabbage during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the WHO said it did not issue any such advisory against consuming cabbage; the US-based Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is "no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food".
2 April 2020
More here.
236. A photo of two Italian doctors who died of COVID-19? No, this photo has circulated in reports about a couple at an airport in Barcelona in March 2020
A photo of a man and woman embracing has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows two Italian doctors who died of a novel coronavirus, COVID-19, after contracting the disease from the patients they treated. The claim is false; this is an Associated Press photo of a couple kissing at an airport in Barcelona, Spain.
2 April 2020
More here.
235. ‘It’s a myth’: South Australian health authorities dismiss rumour about an ice rink-turned-morgue for COVID-19 victims
A claim that 500 body bags were delivered to an ice skating rink outside the Australian city of Adelaide has been shared widely on Facebook during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; South Australian health authorities said the claim is a “myth” and a spokesperson for the local ice rink said “the rumour is completely false”.
2 April 2020
More here.
234. Australian health authorities dismiss hoax claim about 'rescue packs' for vulnerable patients
Multiple Facebook and Twitter posts shared thousands of times by Australian social media users claim that people with pre-existing respiratory conditions will be given a “rescue pack” of medication from their general practitioners during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; Australia’s Department of Health dismissed the rumour as “misinformation”, adding that patients will not receive “rescue packs” from their doctors unless previously prescribed.
2 April 2020
More here.
233. Calling this number will not get you food aid in the US
Posts shared thousands of times on Facebook claim to provide an emergency food stamp hotline. This is false; the phone number is not for the US Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for food stamps, and instead is a disconnected number formerly belonging to rapper Mike Jones.
2 April 2020
More here.
232. Patients outside hospitals in Italy? No, these photos show the aftermath of a powerful earthquake in Croatia
Six photos of people sitting in wheelchairs and lying in hospital beds outside on a street have been shared hundreds of times on Facebook, Twitter and online forums alongside a claim they show scenes in Italy during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the photos actually show the aftermath of a strong earthquake that hit the Croatian capital of Zagreb in March 2020.
2 April 2020
More here.
231. Sri Lankan authorities say medical facilities at this hospital will remain open to all COVID-19 patients
A photo of a Sri Lankan military hospital has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim that it has been reserved exclusively for the use of "VIPs" who test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; Sri Lankan military and hospital authorities told AFP that the military hospital and the country's other medical facilities are being prepared for all COVID-19 patients.
2 April 2020
More here.
230. Photos of vaping illness patients used to make false COVID-19 claim
Posts shared more than 20,000 times on Facebook feature a photo of a crying child and two others showing a woman and a man in hospital beds, claiming that the boy’s parents are infected with the novel coronavirus. This is false, the pictures do not depict a family and circulated online prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 April 2020
More here.
229. Hemingway phrase misrepresented as Trump and Biden statement on COVID-19 death toll
Facebook posts shared tens of thousands of times claim that US President Donald Trump or presidential candidate Joe Biden referred to the novel coronavirus virus pandemic as a time when “people are dying that have never died before.” This is false; there is no record of either man saying this, and letters from Ernest Hemingway show the phrase can be traced to the famed US author.
2 April 2020
More here.
228. Health authorities warn of false COVID-19 prevention tips online
Facebook posts shared thousands of times recommend various practices to prevent COVID-19, including gargling salt water, drinking tea and avoiding ice cream. Health experts told AFP there is no evidence to support these claims and say washing your hands regularly is the best way to stay healthy.
2 April 2020
More here.
227. False claim circulates online that China and Japan are 'free' of COVID-19
A post has been shared multiple times on Facebook in March 2020 that claims China and Japan are “free” of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim is false; data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows new cases continue to be reported in both countries.
2 April 2020
More here.
226. Misinformation spreads in Thailand about police powers to fine people who fail to wear face masks in public
A claim that police in Thailand can issue fines to anyone who does not wear a face mask in public during the novel coronavirus pandemic has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and Line Messenger. The claim is false; Thai legal experts told AFP there is no law in the country that allows police to fine people for not wearing face masks; Thai police issued several statements calling the claims “fake news”.
2 April 2020
More here.
225. Chinese Muslims in mass prayer despite coronavirus crisis? No, this video has circulated online since at least 2011 -- years before the COVID-19 pandemic
A video has been viewed hundreds of times in multiple social media posts alongside a claim it shows Chinese Muslims performing a communal Friday prayer in a mosque despite the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video has circulated in reports about Muslims performing a mass prayer at a mosque in the western Chinese city of Xining in 2011, nine years before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
2 April 2020
More here.
224. False claims on patents fuel novel coronavirus conspiracy theories online
Posts on social media claim there is a US patent on the novel coronavirus and a European one for a vaccine, citing specific patent numbers. This is false; the US number relates to an application about a different coronavirus, and the European number is for a patent aimed at a disease that afflicts poultry.
1 April 2020
More here.
223. Myth circulates online that 'new' hantavirus disease has emerged in China
A claim has circulated in multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that a "new virus" named hantavirus has emerged in China in March 2020. The posts were viewed hundreds of thousands of times as the world battled the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. The claim is false; scientists say hantavirus is not a new virus and was first detected during the Korean War in the 1950s; the US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the virus has almost exclusively been found to pass from rodents to humans, rather than from person to person.
1 April 2020
More here.
222. These images show vegetables being donated in Sri Lanka in 2019, months before the COVID-19 pandemic
Seven photos have been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter, alongside a claim that they show vegetables donated to disadvantaged people during a curfew prompted by the novel coronavirus pandemic in Sri Lanka. The photos have been shared in a misleading context; they actually show vegetables being donated at an event in southern Sri Lanka in August 2019, more than eight months before the curfew was implemented.
1 April 2020
More here.
221. Singapore General Hospital said its car park would be temporarily used to test suspected COVID-19 patients
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim that it shows a hospital car park in Singapore which will be converted into wards during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is misleading; the hospital clarified its car park would temporarily be used to test patients suspected to have been infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, but it would not be converted into “wards”.
1 April 2020
More here.
220. Bodies of COVID-19 victims being dumped into a ditch in Italy? No, this clip is a scene from the 2007 US television series Pandemic
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook which claim it shows bodies of novel coronavirus victims being thrown into a ditch in Italy. The claim is false; the footage was taken from the 2007 US television programme Pandemic.
1 April 2020
More here.
219. China sent medical supplies, not doctors, to help Malaysia combat the COVID-19 pandemic
A photo of a group of people holding a banner that bears the Chinese and Malaysian flags has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows Chinese doctors arriving in Malaysia to combat the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the photo actually shows medical supplies donated by China that were delivered to a hospital in Malaysia.
1 April 2020
More here.
218. Dozens die after a congregation drinks Dettol to prevent coronavirus? Police dismiss claims as a hoax
Multiple articles widely shared on Facebook claim that 59 church members died after drinking household disinfectant which their pastor said would prevent coronavirus infections. The claims, although based on an old story, are false -- South African police denied any current investigations on their part.
1 April 2020
More here.
217. Hoax circulates on social media that Australian supermarket worker has tested positive for COVID-19 in New South Wales suburb
A claim that a trolley collector at a supermarket in the Australian state of New South Wales tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in March 2020 has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook. The claim is false; the shopping centre where the supermarket is located said that it had no confirmed COVID-19 cases in March 2020; local health officials in New South Wales also did not report any confirmed cases in the suburb cited in the misleading Facebook posts in the final days of March.
1 April 2020
More here.
216. This photo shows people participating in an art project in Germany, not bodies of COVID-19 victims on the streets of Italy
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows the bodies of people who died in Italy after they became infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the photo actually shows people participating in a 2014 art project in the German city of Frankfurt.
1 April 2020
More here.
215. This video has circulated in media reports about an incident in Thailand (not of man smearing sweat on lift buttons in Hong Kong)
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows a man wiping his sweat on the buttons of a lift in a residential block in Hong Kong. The claim is false; the footage has circulated in media reports about an incident in Thailand.
1 April 2020
More here.
214. Spanish politician misidentified in posts saying soccer players should find novel coronavirus cure
Posts on social media claim that a “Spanish biological researcher” called on international soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to find a cure for COVID-19 since they earn much more money than scientists. However, the accompanying photo shows a Spanish politician speaking in April 2018, well before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
31 March 2020
More here.
213. Buckingham Palace did not say the Queen tested positive for coronavirus
Multiple news reports circulating in Nigeria claim that Buckingham Palace has announced Britain’s Queen Elizabeth tested positive for COVID-19. Although the Queen’s eldest son was diagnosed with the disease, the Palace said the monarch herself is “in good health”.
31 March 2020
More here.
212. Thailand’s emergency decree to combat COVID-19 did not include a curfew in March 2020
A claim has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter that an emergency decree issued in Thailand due to the novel coronavirus pandemic included a strict curfew. The claim is false; the emergency decree declared on March 25, 2020 by Thailand’s prime minister did not include a curfew.
31 March 2020
More here.
211. This video shows police arresting a knife-wielding man in Brazil
A video of police arresting a man has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim it shows police in Italy detaining a man who flouted a national lockdown during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the footage in fact shows police arresting a knife-wielding man in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.
31 March 2020
More here.
210. World Health Organization refutes misleading claim it increased Thailand's 'pandemic level' for COVID-19
A screenshot of a World Health Organization (WHO) webpage has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and messaging app Line alongside a claim it shows international health authorities raised Thailand’s pandemic stage to a "level 4" during the novel coronavirus crisis. The claim is false; the screenshot in fact shows a WHO document that categorised Thailand as "level 4" in terms of "preparedness and response readiness" for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19; the Thai government has its own classification system for domestic pandemics, the highest of which is “phase 3".
30 March 2020
More here.
209. Health experts warn against mixing rum, bleach and fabric softener to make 'hand sanitiser'
A video has been have been viewed thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim it shows how to make a hand sanitiser that is effective in protecting against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The video appears to show someone mixing rum, bleach and fabric softener in a bottle before rubbing the solution on their hands. The claim is false; health experts warn that such homemade hand sanitisers can be harmful to a person's health.
30 March 2020
More here.
208. No evidence drinking tea can cure or relieve symptoms of COVID-19, doctors say
A post shared repeatedly on WhatsApp and Facebook claims a Chinese doctor has discovered that drinking tea is effective in curing and relieving symptoms of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; health experts say there is insufficient scientific evidence to show that drinking tea is effective in preventing or curing COVID-19 infections; as of March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said there is no cure for COVID-19.
30 March 2020
More here.
207. Singapore’s Ministry of Health says it did not issue these COVID-19 'guidelines'
A post has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter with a claim it is an official advisory issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Health about the first symptoms of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; a spokesperson for the Singaporean health body told AFP it had not issued the purported advisory.
30 March 2020
More here.
206. The audio in this Associated Press footage of Saddam Hussein has been doctored
A video of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram alongside a claim it shows him stating the US threatened to spread the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Iraq during a meeting in the 1990s. The claim is false; the video's audio has been doctored; the original Associated Press archive footage does not include any reference to COVID-19.
30 March 2020
More here.
205. Reopening date for South Africa’s schools has not been announced
Multiple posts on social media claim that schools in South Africa will reopen months from now in September, as a result of the increase in COVID-19 cases. The claims are false; the Department of Basic Education has not made any such announcement and refuted the claims.
29 March 2020
More here.
204. Nigeria is not paying citizens for staying at home amidst coronavirus pandemic
A web publication shared hundreds of times on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp in Nigeria claims the government will pay each citizen 8,500 naira ($23.60) monthly to encourage Nigerians to stay at home in a bid to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus. But the claim is false; officials have dismissed the claim, and the author of the viral publication admitted it was incorrect.
27 March 2020
More here.
203. Australia's Department of Health did not issue a warning that 'using petrol pumps can spread COVID-19'
A purported warning from Australian hospitals has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook that using petrol pumps can enable the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; Australia’s Department of Health said it did not issue the purported advisory; scientists say the virus is unlikely to survive on petrol pumps outside as sunlight and lack of moisture generally kill it; motorists are advised to regularly wash their hands to avoid infection.
27 March 2020
More here.
202. This video has circulated online about a prank staged in Brazil in 2019
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows a drone launching fireworks at people who breached a curfew in Malaysia during a nationwide coronavirus lockdown. The claim is false; the video's audio has been manipulated to include a man speaking in Malaysian; the original clip actually shows a prank that was staged by a Brazilian influencer in Brazil in July 2019.
27 March 2020
More here.
201. Articles spread Tim Hortons closure hoax in Canada
Two articles claiming that iconic coffee chain Tim Hortons will close all Canada franchises on March 30, 2020 because of the novel coronavirus were shared more than 150,000 times on Facebook. This is false; though locations are closed to dining-in, drive-throughs remain open, a spokeswoman for the chain told AFP.
27 March 2020
More here.
200. These photos show the coffins of victims of a boat disaster in 2013
Photographs shared hundreds of times online purport to show the coffins of Italian victims of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the pictures date back to October 2013 when hundreds drowned in a boat tragedy in the Mediterranean.
27 March 2020
More here.
199. Experts say eating garlic does not prevent COVID-19 -- and onions are no cure either
Multiple videos seen tens of thousands of times on Facebook claim garlic and onions can prevent and cure infection from novel coronavirus. This is false; the World Health Organization says garlic cannot prevent or treat COVID-19.
27 March 2020
More here.
198. This footage of looting was filmed years before the pandemic
Footage purportedly showing a looting spree in Mexico prompted by panic over the novel coronavirus was aired on multiple Facebook live streams and viewed by tens of thousands of people during the week of March 23, 2020. Posts sharing the streams claimed that the chaotic scene was happening in real-time. The claim is false; the streams showed old footage from a 2017 looting incident in Mexico that was being played on a loop.
27 March 2020
More here.
197. False claim circulates online that certain countries in Asia are using helicopters to spray 'COVID-19 disinfectant'
Purported advisories urging residents to stay indoors while national air force helicopters spray disinfectant over homes to kill off the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have been circulated online in Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The warning messages have been shared thousands of times on Facebook and WhatsApp. But the claim is false; both the Sri Lankan and Philippine governments said their air forces were not involved in any such operations.
27 March 2020
More here.
196. This video has circulated online more than one year before COVID-19 was first detected
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows a shaman curing a novel coronavirus patient in Malaysia. The claim is false; the video has circulated online in posts about a hospital in Indonesia since at least October 2018, more than one year before COVID-19 was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
27 March 2020
More here.
195. This video shows police officers arresting protesters in Hong Kong in August 2019
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which claim it shows Chinese police arresting people infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the video shows police arresting pro-democracy protesters at a subway station in Hong Kong in August 2019.
27 March 2020
More here.
194. Wet wipes not recommended for use as DIY coronavirus protection masks
A post shared more than 165,000 times on Facebook includes a video of a woman turning a baby wipe into a face mask to “protect against coronavirus.” The company that sells the wipes says they should not be used in this way, and health experts also recommend caution.
26 March 2020
More here.
193. Inhaling steam will not treat or cure novel coronavirus infection
A video viewed more than 2.4 million times on Facebook urges people to inhale steam to “kill” the novel coronavirus. But experts say that doing so will not treat or cure the viral infection, and could in fact be harmful.
26 March 2020
More here.
192. This video has circulated online since at least 2013 and shows people receiving Bibles
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows the Koran being distributed to people in China after it lifted a "ban" on the Islamic holy text following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the video has circulated online since at least 2013 in reports about people receiving copies of the Bible in China.
26 March 2020
More here.
191. US social media users mischaracterize Canada’s COVID-19 aid package
As the US government moved to approve a $2 trillion stimulus package to address the impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, a short block of text outlining Canada’s alleged response to the outbreak flourished on social media. The claims about school closings and economic support are misleading; no province has officially closed schools through the end of the year, only individuals directly impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for financial aid, and mortgage relief is granted by banks on a case by case basis.
26 March 2020
More here.
190. This meme does not show fully-stocked shelves during swine flu pandemic
A meme shared on Facebook and Twitter claims to show an image of fully stocked shelves of toilet paper, purportedly during the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, above another of barren shelves during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The post is misleading; the image of the stocked shelves is a screenshot from US news footage shot this year, not in 2009.
26 March 2020
More here.
189. US President Donald Trump did not announce a coronavirus vaccine was 'ready'
A video of US President Donald Trump and a top US pharmaceutical executive speaking at a press conference has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts alongside a claim that it shows them announcing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was "ready" to be administered. The claim is false; neither Trump nor the pharmaceutical executive make any reference to a vaccine being "ready" for distribution; as of March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) states there is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19.
26 March 2020
More here.
188. This video shows two separate incidents involving different women in supermarkets
A video has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook which claim it shows a woman who was detained by police in Australia after she tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and was filmed spitting at a supermarket in a Sydney suburb. The claim is misleading; the video has been created from two clips of separate incidents involving different women; police in Australia said the first clip shows a woman who was questioned and released after a disturbance at a store in a Sydney suburb; the Australian supermarket chain cited in the misleading posts said the second clip was not filmed in its stores.
26 March 2020
More here.
187. This photo shows a COVID-19 test kit developed by a South Korean company
An image has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim that it shows a medicine created by US scientists that can cure the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the photo in fact shows a COVID-19 test kit developed by a South Korean company; as of March 2020, international health experts have said there is no "cure" or vaccine for COVID-19.
26 March 2020
More here.
186. The Philippine health department said it did not issue this 'checklist' for COVID-19 symptoms
A purported checklist for symptoms of novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it was issued by the Philippine Department of Health. The claim is false; the Philippine health body said it did not issue the chart.
26 March 2020
More here.
185. This photo was taken in South Africa in 2016 -- it is unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic
A screenshot of a purported news broadcast showing a lion in the street and reporting that Russia has deployed hundreds of lions to maintain order during the novel coronavirus lockdown has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter. The claim is false; the photo used in the image was taken in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016; Russia has also not announced any major coronavirus lockdown.
25 March 2020
More here.
184. Photo of ‘COVID-19’ rail tanker is not genuine
A Facebook post shared tens of thousands of times purportedly shows a rail freight tanker with “COVID-19” stamped on one side. The image has circulated globally but it is false, the tanker operating company said. And Railinc, a corporation that manages an industry-wide database, said there is no such mark as “COVID.”
25 March 2020
More here.
183. An old photo of Buhari from before the pandemic was doctored to add face masks
A photo circulating on Facebook in Nigeria appears to show President Muhammadu Buhari shaking hands with the nation’s Code of Conduct Bureau Chairman Mohammed Isa while both men are wearing face masks — a seeming flouting of precautions during the novel coronavirus pandemic. This is not what happened. The image was doctored using an old photo, taken long before the pandemic.
25 March 2020
More here.
182. The Philippines’ social security agency said this report about a COVID-19 benefit payment was 'fake news'
A purported news report has been shared on multiple Facebook pages which claims that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of P20,000 (USD $400) to all recipients of the Philippines’ Social Security System (SSS) to help them through the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the SSS said the report was “fake news"; the website that published the claim is also not a reputable news source.
25 March 2020
More here.
181. Hoax circulates that UK hospital has issued special advice to staff to prevent COVID-19 infection
A lengthy text post has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook which purportedly contains advice on how to prevent infection from the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The post claims the advice was issued by a UK hospital to its medical staff. The claim is false; the hospital named in the misleading Facebook posts denied issuing the guidelines; the posts also contained several false claims previously debunked by AFP Fact Check.
25 March 2020
More here.
180. This video has circulated since 2015 in reports about an aerosol explosion in Saudi Arabia
A video of a fire erupting inside a vehicle has been viewed hundreds of times on Facebook, Twitter and on messaging app Line in March 2020 alongside a claim it shows an explosion that was sparked by an alcohol-based disinfectant used during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video has circulated in media reports about a car explosion in Saudi Arabia since at least 2015, almost five years before the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.
25 March 2020
More here.
179. This Pakistani bank said no employees had tested positive for COVID-19 and its branches remained open
A screenshot of a purported internal email disclosing that a bank in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi was closed after an employee tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been shared on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. The claim is false; the bank said in a statement that “no employee at any” branch had tested positive for COVID-19, and that all branches remained “open and fully operative.”
25 March 2020
More here.
178. Indian authorities refute 'fake' claim about food markets closing in Chennai during COVID-19 lockdown
A claim that all fruit and vegetable markets in the Indian city of Chennai and across the state of Tamil Nadu have been ordered to close in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter. The claim is false; Chennai’s municipal authority called the social media posts “fake”, and Tamil Nadu’s chief minister said that stores selling “essential items” such as groceries are allowed to operate as normal despite a nationwide lockdown.
25 March 2020
More here.
177. This video has circulated in media reports about a man on a subway train in Brussels
A video has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows a US soldier spreading the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, by wiping his saliva on a subway train handrail in the Chinese city of Wuhan in October 2019. The claim is false; the video circulated in reports in March 2020 about an incident on a subway in Belgium; the Belgian transport body said the man in the video had been arrested over the incident.
25 March 2020
More here.
176. Nigerian TV screenshot of '472 confirmed cases' refers to Lassa fever — not COVID-19
A screenshot of a Nigerian television station showing a breakdown of "472 confirmed cases" has been shared on Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp alongside claims it shows novel coronavirus cases across the country. But the image is being shared out of context: It shows figures for Lassa fever, not coronavirus.
25 March 2020
More here.
175. Video shows Zimbabwe police beating opposition members, not churchgoers defying virus rules
A video shared thousands of times on Facebook claims to show police in Zimbabwe beating churchgoers because their place of worship refused to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The claims are false; the video was filmed before the virus outbreak. It shows opposition supporters being dispersed after gathering to hear their leader.
24 March 2020
More here.
174. Ugandan and Kenyan authorities reject claims that they told landlords to stop rent collection
Posts circulating on social media claim that Ugandan and Kenyan authorities have instructed landlords to stop collecting rent due to the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the countries have issued public guidance amid the pandemic, but there has been no official communication on rent payments and government officials dismissed the reports.
24 March 2020
More here.
173. Viral WhatsApp voice note in Nigeria makes misleading claims about COVID-19 fatalities projections
A viral WhatsApp voice note in Nigeria claims that the coronavirus could kill up to 45 million Nigerians. This is misleading, as data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows. The message makes several other false claims, which we debunk here.
24 March 2020
More here.
172. Viral video misidentifies COVID-19 patient as Canadian PM’s wife
A video allegedly showing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife in a hospital bed urging people to stay home to avoid ending up seriously ill with the novel coronavirus has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter. The woman in the video is not Sophie Trudeau, but a British waitress who has been infected with COVID-19.
24 March 2020
More here.
171. Indian health authorities refute myth that juiced vegetables can cure COVID-19
A post has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp which claims a regional government in India has recommended that the juice of bitter gourd, a vegetable often used in traditional medicine, is an effective treatment for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; Indian authorities dismissed the claim, calling it “absolutely false”; health experts said there is no evidence the vegetable is an effective remedy for COVID-19.
24 March 2020
More here.
170. Experts refute misleading claim that bathing in hot water can prevent COVID-19
A post shared repeatedly on Facebook claims that taking a hot bath is an effective remedy against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is misleading; health experts say there is no scientific evidence that bathing in hot water can prevent people from catching the virus; the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that bathing or showering in very hot water can be “harmful”.
24 March 2020
More here.
169. This photo shows coffins for dead migrants after a boat capsized off the coast of Italy in 2013
A photo of a room lined with coffins has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows Italian nationals killed during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The claim is false; the photo actually shows coffins for a group of dead migrants at an Italian airport in October 2013 after their boat sank off the coast of Italy.
24 March 2020
More here.
168. Australian health authorities refute hoax about 'free home checks' for suspected COVID-19 cases
A purported emergency notice from Australian authorities has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter. It states people can receive free home visits from doctors during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; Australian health authorities denied issuing the notice, adding the hoax had prompted “unnecessary phone calls” that had overwhelmed public health units.
24 March 2020
More here.
167. Police dismiss false claim that Australian factory hoarded COVID-19 supplies to export to China
A post has been shared tens of thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter which claims that a factory in the Australian city of Melbourne has been hoarding essential supplies including baby formula, toilet paper and hand sanitiser for export to China during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; police said the accusation was "false". The company cited in the misleading posts also refuted the claim.
24 March 2020
More here.
166. Health experts refute misleading 'timeline' of COVID-19 symptoms
An infographic has been shared thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim it shows a nine-day timeline of the symptoms of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. This infographic is misleading; it was not distributed by an official health authority and health experts say COVID-19 symptoms vary in duration and severity.
24 March 2020
More here.
165. Misleading COVID-19 flyer falsely linked to US Veterans Affairs hospital
A flyer said to offer official advice about the novel coronavirus from a Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system in the US state of Oregon is being shared on Facebook. The flyer is fake, it was not issued by the Roseburg VA and health experts told AFP the advice it contains is misleading.
23 March 2020
More here.
164. US biotech company says its COVID-19 vaccine is in the development phase
A television news report about a US biotech company has been viewed thousands of times on Facebook alongside a claim that the company successfully created a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, within "three hours". The claim is misleading; the US biotech company said the vaccine still requires human testing and will not be made available until at least the end of 2020.
23 March 2020
More here.
163. This video shows a security exercise simulating a hostage-taking at Dakar airport
A video purporting to show panic-stricken travellers infected with the novel coronavirus at an airport in Senegal has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. However, these images are actually taken from a security exercise simulating a hostage-taking at Dakar airport in November 2019.
23 March 2020
More here.
162. Gargling warm salt water or vinegar does not prevent coronavirus infection, health experts say
A graphic has been shared thousands of times on Facebook which claims that gargling warm water with salt or vinegar can eliminate the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; international health authorities and experts do not list gargling as an effective remedy or prevention method for COVID-19.
23 March 2020
More here.
161. This graphic with a purported quote from Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo has been doctored
A graphic has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it contains a quote from Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo that bats are the "enemy" in the novel coronavirus pandemic. The graphic is attributed to Inquirer.net, a Philippine media outlet. The claim is false; the graphic has been doctored from an earlier Inquirer.net post in which Robredo was quoted about confusion surrounding the government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
23 March 2020
More here.
160. This video has been doctored -- it does not feature the voice of Chinese businessman Jack Ma
A video viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook and YouTube purports to show billionaire businessman Jack Ma praising China’s response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. But the video has been doctored; the original video shows Jack Ma at a meeting of former Alibaba employees in 2018, at least one year before COVID-19 was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan; the voiceover in the clip has been taken from another clip which shows a different man speaking.
23 March 2020
More here.
159. Indian authorities refute 'fake' advisory which claimed disinfectant would be sprayed across India to tackle COVID-19
A purported advisory has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp posts that claims a disinfectant will be sprayed into the air overnight in India in an effort to kill the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The posts urge residents to remain indoors during the spraying. The claim is false; Indian authorities said the advisory was "fake" and that no such measure had been announced.
23 March 2020
More here.
158. This image has circulated in reports about China testing a potential COVID-19 vaccine that has not been approved by health authorities
An image has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that it shows China administering the "world's first new coronavirus vaccine" after the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the photos in this image have circulated in reports about China testing a potential COVID-19 vaccine.
23 March 2020
More here.
157. These photos have circulated since 2011 in reports about the Indian yoga guru being hospitalised after a nine-day fast
Two photos have been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter alongside a claim that they show Indian yoga guru Swami Ramdev being admitted to hospital after drinking cow urine in an effort to protect himself against COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This claim is false; these photos were taken in 2011 and show the guru receiving treatment at a hospital after fasting for nine days.
20 March 2020
More here.
156. There is no evidence to support the claim that Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo tested positive for the novel coronavirus
A story that has been shared thousands of times in social media posts claims Ghana’s president and a senior minister had tested positive for COVID-19. But the claim is false; there is no evidence to support the allegation and Ghana’s information minister has dismissed it.
20 March 2020
More here.
155. Scientists in Israel are still working on developing a vaccine for COVID-19
An image shared thousands of times on Facebook purports to be evidence that Israel has developed a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; the image used to illustrate a vial of the new drug is originally a stock picture while the MIGAL Research Institute in Israel, despite having a head start, continues to work on a vaccine for COVID-19.
20 March 2020
More here.
154. UNHCR condemns fake notice which claimed refugees in Malaysia are resisting COVID-19 tests
A claim that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated “migrants and illegals” in Malaysia were resisting test for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, over fears of arrest has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook. The claim is false; UNHCR officials in Malaysia said the alleged statement is fake and condemned the erroneous claim for stoking “unnecessary fear and distrust”.
20 March 2020
More here.
153. This photo does not show the pilot who tested positive after visiting a cricket game in Sri Lanka
A photo has been shared in multiple Facebook posts that claim it shows a SriLankan Airlines pilot who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the local health authority told AFP the pilot is not pictured in the photo; the man wrongly identified in the posts denied the claim.
20 March 2020
More here.
152. WhatsApp message falsely links BC mall to COVID-19 outbreak
A message shared on WhatsApp and Facebook claims that 15 coronavirus cases were linked to Burnaby’s Metrotown mall, in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. This is false; provincial health officials and the mall administrator told AFP that no cases are connected to the mall to date.
20 March 2020
More here.
151. Misleading report claims UV light, chlorine and high temperatures can kill COVID-19
A report which includes a list of "seven evil things" that the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is “afraid of' has been shared repeatedly on Facebook and Twitter. The list includes UV light, chlorine and high temperatures. The claim is misleading; health experts say such practices are only effective when applied properly and can even be harmful if used incorrectly.
20 March 2020
More here.
150. The Indian government said there is no free mask scheme in place -- the claim was published on a fraudulent website
A claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instituted a government scheme to distribute free face masks in an effort to curb the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter. The posts link to a website that requests users to input personal information to submit an order for the masks. However, the claim is false; the Indian government said there is no such scheme in place and the linked website is not an official government site.
20 March 2020
More here.
149. 'Red soap, white handkerchiefs': experts refute misleading coronavirus prevention 'tips'
A list of purported preventive measures for individuals to take against COVID-19 has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook. The posts claim the guidelines were revealed by a "Chinese doctor" and helped China to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. But the recommended practices are misleading; health experts told AFP there is no scientific basis for many of the claims, which include using red-coloured soap and white handkerchiefs, as well as obtaining specific light bulbs.
20 March 2020
More here.
148. This video was made by a UK public hospital trust in 2010 about infections in hospitals
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it was produced by the Canadian health authority to illustrate how the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is transmitted between people. The claim is false; the video was produced by a regional hospital trust within the UK’s public healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS), in May 2010 about how infections spread in hospitals.
20 March 2020
More here.
147. Hot air from saunas, hair dryers won’t prevent or treat COVID-19
A video viewed hundreds of thousands of times claims that breathing in hot air from a hair dryer or in a sauna can prevent or cure COVID-19. This is false; an expert in coronaviruses said these methods would not be effective, while a cell biologist said there is no evidence the virus can be treated via heat.
20 March 2020
More here.
146. False posts claim COVID-19 existed before 2019, use animal vaccines as proof
Facebook posts claim that the novel coronavirus is not a new disease, showing photos of vials of coronavirus vaccines for animals as evidence. This is false; coronaviruses affecting cattle or canines differ from the new virus strain affecting humans, for which no vaccine exists.
20 March 2020
More here.
145. This video has circulated online since November 2019 -- weeks before the COVID-19 outbreak
A video of shoppers panic buying and fighting has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, YouTube and various media sites alongside a claim it shows panic buying in the United States during the novel coronavirus pandemic. But the video has been shared in a misleading context; it has circulated online since November 2019, weeks before the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
19 March 2020
More here.
144. South African health authorities urge public not to share hotline graphics with false information
Graphics displaying Department of Health logos with the COVID-19 hotline number for South Africa have been shared thousands of times on social media. While the toll-free number is correct, the information that follows is false, according to health authorities.
19 March 2020
More here.
143. Health experts warn using water in an ablution ritual alone cannot kill the novel coronavirus
Multiple media reports and social media posts claim that water used in an Islamic ablution ritual can kill the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; health experts warn that water alone cannot kill the virus and recommend that people wash their hands with soap and water for effective protection.
19 March 2020
More here.
142. Manufacturers say 'free baby formula' offer is a hoax, after coronavirus sparks panic buying
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times in March 2020 claim that consumers can claim a free case of baby formula if they call the relevant manufacturer. The posts were shared after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, had become a pandemic, prompting panic buying in some countries. The claim is false; several manufacturers told AFP that the post is a hoax; the leading industry association noted that official guidelines forbid the donation of formula to the public.
19 March 2020
More here.
141. This video was filmed in 2011, nearly a decade before the novel coronavirus outbreak
Footage of a large crowd rushing into an ALDI supermarket has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside claims that the video shows panic buyers storming the supermarket during the novel coronavirus pandemic. The claim is false; the video was in fact filmed in Germany in 2011, nearly a decade before the coronavirus pandemic broke out.
19 March 2020
More here.
140. Misinformation circulates online that Australia has announced a nationwide 'shut down'
A message shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts claims the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was set to implement a nationwide "shut down" from March 18, 2020 in an effort to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the Australian Prime Minister’s Office refuted the details of the post; Australia's government told its citizens on March 18 not to travel abroad and warned those already overseas to come home but said it did not order a "lockdown"; AFP found the wording of the misleading posts was identical to Malaysia’s announcement of a nationwide lockdown.
19 March 2020
More here.
139. Hoax claim circulates online that Israel has no COVID-19 cases after it developed a 'cure'
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter claim Israel has no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as it has already developed a "cure". The claim is false; official World Health Organization (WHO) data and Israeli media reports state at least 298 people have been confirmed to have contracted the disease as of March 16; Israel has implemented travel restrictions and closed businesses in response to the spread of COVID-19. Various countries have been working develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and WHO guidance currently states there is no "cure" for the virus to date.
18 March 2020
More here.
138. The video has circulated in media reports about coronavirus deaths in Iran
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows dozens of corpses inside body bags in Italy after the oubreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The video has been shared in a misleading context; it has previously circulated in media reports about people who died after contracting COVID-19 in Iran; a man recording the video can be heard stating that he is inside a mortuary in the Iranian city of Qom.
18 March 2020
More here.
137. This video has been doctored -- scientists have not found bananas prevent coronavirus infection
A video has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which claim it shows a genuine news report about Australian researchers discovering bananas can help prevent infection by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the video has been doctored from a news report by the Australian television channel ABC to include references to bananas; the scientist cited in the report told AFP the claim is untrue.
18 March 2020
More here.
136. The Philippine Department of Health says it did not issue this advisory
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook and Twitter claim Israel has no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as it has already developed a "cure". The claim is false; official World Health Organization (WHO) data and Israeli media reports state at least 298 people have been confirmed to have contracted the disease as of March 16; Israel has implemented travel restrictions and closed businesses in response to the spread of COVID-19. Various countries have been working develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and WHO guidance currently states there is no "cure" for the virus to date.
18 March 2020
More here.
135. Smoking could increase your risk of developing severe coronavirus illness, WHO says
Multiple Facebook posts claim the World Health Organization (WHO) has said smoking prevents people from getting infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the WHO says smoking does not protect a person from COVID-19 infection and warns it can actually cause health conditions that increase the risk of severe coronavirus illness.
17 March 2020
More here.
134. Hoax report circulates that Cristiano Ronaldo will convert his hotels into coronavirus hospitals
A claim that footballer Cristiano Ronaldo plans to turn his hotels in Portugal into hospitals for people infected by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been shared tens of thousands of times in multiple languages on various social media platforms. The claim is false; a spokesperson for the hotels said the claim was “inaccurate”; Ronaldo has also not mentioned any such plan on his social media platforms.
17 March 2020
More here.
133. Health experts refute claim that ancient medicinal herbs are an effective coronavirus remedy
A photo of a prescription for an ancient herbal drink has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and WhatsApp alongside a claim that it is an effective remedy for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The prescription was purportedly written and shared by an Ayurveda doctor in Sri Lanka. The claim is misleading; medical experts advise against using herbal remedies to treat the coronavirus, and urge those experiencing symptoms to seek professional medical assistance.
17 March 2020
More here.
132. Health experts say comparing death tolls of an emerging epidemic with longstanding diseases risks underplaying COVID-19
A chart has been shared thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit alongside a claim it shows the seriousness of the novel coronavirus epidemic has been exaggerated when its death toll is compared to other diseases. But health experts say the graphic is misleading and risks underplaying the danger of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which is a new disease with a fast-rising mortality rate.
17 March 2020
More here.
131. This photo has circulated online since 2017 -- over two years before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A photo purportedly showing a well-stocked vegan food shelf while other food items are cleared out amid a round of panic buying during the novel coronavirus epidemic has been shared thousands of times on Facebook and Twitter. This is false; this photo has circulated online since September 2017 in reports about panic buying after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in the US.
17 March 2020
More here.
130. These photos have circulated online since 2015 and show empty shelves at US supermarkets
Three photos have been repeatedly shared in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim they show empty supermarket shelves in Sri Lanka after panic buying sparked by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The photos have been used in a misleading context; they have circulated online since at least 2015 and actually show supermarkets in the US.
17 March 2020
More here.
129. Sri Lankan officials refute false claim that the novel coronavirus has been discovered in poultry
Several photos have been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim they show poultry in Sri Lanka that was infected by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; Sri Lankan authorities said the coronavirus has not been discovered in poultry; the photos were taken from various unrelated reports online and show chickens sickened with other diseases.
16 March 2020
More here.
128. Doctors refute misleading online claim that consuming boiled ginger can cure novel coronavirus infections
Multiple posts on Facebook shared tens of thousands of times during the ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic in February 2020 claim ginger can “cure” coronavirus infections if it is boiled and consumed on an empty stomach. The claim is misleading; health experts say there is no scientific evidence boiled ginger can definitively relieve people of the viral infection, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised those showing symptoms to seek immediate medical help, instead of testing home remedies.
16 March 2020
More here.
127. Health experts dismiss false claim that COVID-19 fits a pattern of viral outbreaks every 100 years
An infographic has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows that the 2020 novel coronavirus pandemic fits a pattern of viral outbreaks that occur every 100 years. The claim is false; the infographic contains inaccurate information about historical viral outbreaks and ignores other epidemics that do not fit the assumed pattern; health experts told AFP that while certain viruses are seasonal in nature, there is no basis for the claim that viral outbreaks occur once every century.
16 March 2020
More here.
126. The last day South African schools will be open is Wednesday, March 18; they will be closed thereafter
A notice widely shared on WhatsApp claims that all schools in South Africa would close on Monday, March 16, 2020. This is false: The last day of school will be Wednesday, March 18, and schools will be closed thereafter, as announced by South Africa’s Department of Basic Education.
16 March 2020
More here.
125. False COVID-19 hotline number shared on Facebook in Ontario
A notice shared more than 15,000 times on Facebook advises Ontario residents to call 811 to arrange a home visit by medical specialists if they are showing novel coronavirus symptoms. This is false; 811 is not an official public health hotline in Ontario, and the provincial ministry of health is not organizing home visits, a spokeswoman told AFP.
16 March 2020
More here.
124. Consuming silver particles will not prevent or treat novel coronavirus
Posts circulating on Facebook claim that colloidal silver -- silver particles in liquid -- can prevent or treat the novel coronavirus. This is false; US regulators say it is not safe for use against any disease.
13 March 2020
More here.
123. The incident happened in another part of South Africa long before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video shared hundreds of times on Facebook purports to show monkeys stealing food from a hospital in South Africa's capital Pretoria, pondering the country's readiness to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim is false; the video was taken before the COVID-19 crisis in a different part of the country.
13 March 2020
More here.
122. Costco is not recalling bath tissue due to novel coronavirus contamination
A recall notice supposedly issued by retailer Costco for bath tissue contaminated by the novel coronavirus has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook in Canada. The notice is not authentic, according to a statement from the wholesaler, and the brand of bath tissue in question is not listed on official recall websites.
13 March 2020
More here.
121. Employer did not hide advice to skip work on COVID-19 poster
Posts claiming an employer covered up part of a poster on novel coronavirus prevention that advised sick employees to stay home have been shared more than 5,000 times on Facebook. This is false; the recommendation that was covered up advises people to avoid large gatherings and does not mention staying home when sick.
13 March 2020
More here.
120. This doctored image contains a 2015 photo of Tom Hanks and the ball in the movie 'Cast Away'
A photo of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks holding a volleyball has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and Instagram posts alongside it shows him in quarantine at a hospital in Australia after contracting the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The posts further claim hospital staff gifted Hanks the ball as a tribute to his character Chuck Noland in the 2000 film 'Cast Away', who "befriends" a volleyball. The claim is false; the image has been doctored using a 2015 photograph of Hanks and a stock photo of a hospital ward; the doctored photo emerged on a satirical website.
13 March 2020
More here.
119. Philippine Department of Health refutes hoax warning about visiting shopping malls and hotels during coronavirus epidemic
A purported Philippine government advisory has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim it lists shopping malls and hotels in the Philippines that the Department of Health advises against visiting during the novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is misleading; the Philippine Department of Health said the purported advisory is "fake”.
13 March 2020
More here.
118. This video has circulated online since 2017 about a hotel demolition in China’s Jiangsu province
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in March 2020 which claim it shows a hotel collapsing in the Chinese city of Quanzhou after it was used as a coronavirus quarantine facility. The claim is false; the video has circulated online since at least April 2017 about a hotel demolition in China’s Jiangsu province.
13 March 2020
More here.
117. False claims that drinking water with lemon can prevent COVID-19 circulate online
A text shared thousands of times on Facebook in various countries claims that drinking warm water with lemon protects against the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; experts told AFP that there’s no proof this is effective in preventing the disease and that practising good hygiene is the best way to stay healthy. The posts also include several other false claims.
12 March 2020
More here.
116. Picture of the novel coronavirus? No, this is a magnified photo of a weevil
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a photo alongside a claim that it shows coronavirus magnified 2,600 times. The claim is false; the image is a magnified photo of a weevil.
12 March 2020
More here.
115. This video has previously circulated in reports about a free vegetable giveaway in Wuhan
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Twitter and Facebook alongside a claim it shows residents queuing for death certificates in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is misleading; the footage has previously circulated in reports about Wuhan residents gathering to collect free vegetables.
12 March 2020
More here.
114. There have been no deaths from the novel coronavirus in South Africa (as of March 12, 2020)
An article shared thousands of times on Facebook claims that a family of three died from the new coronavirus at a hospital in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The claim is false; there have been no deaths from the novel coronavirus in South Africa as of March 12, 2020. When the misleading article was published, there were zero confirmed cases in the province; as of March 12, there was one.
12 March 2020
More here.
113. Fake US hospital letter says alcohol reduces COVID-19 risks
A Facebook post shared 25,000 times features an image of a letter purportedly from a US hospital recommending people drink alcohol to help reduce the risks of novel coronavirus infection. This is false; Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City did not issue the letter, according to its staff.
11 March 2020
More here.
112. World Health Organization refutes viral claims that holding your breath can test for COVID-19
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that holding your breath for more than 10 seconds is an effective test for the novel coronavirus, and that drinking water regularly can prevent the disease. The claims are false; the World Health Organization and other experts said there was no evidence to support these claims.
11 March 2020
More here.
111. Donating blood in US does not get you a novel coronavirus test
Twitter users are claiming that people can get a novel coronavirus test by donating blood. This is false; the two organizations responsible for collecting the vast majority of the blood supply in the United States said they are not testing for COVID-19.
11 March 2020
More here.
110. This report is a hoax -- the video was filmed one year before the novel coronavirus outbreak
An online report has been shared in repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook and YouTube which purports to show Philippine authorities confiscating fake cigarettes that were spreading the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the video in the report actually shows the Philippines customs bureau seizing fake cigarettes in May 2018, more than one year before the coronavirus outbreak; the site that published the report is not a reputable news site.
11 March 2020
More here.
109. This false claim about a brothel quarantined in Europe originated on a satirical website
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Weibo, Twitter and Facebook alongside a claim it shows a brothel in Europe where 86 people were quarantined due to the novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim circulated in posts in English, German, Spanish and Portuguese. The claim is false; it originated on a satirical website based in Spain; the image in the posts shows a nightclub in the coastal Spanish city of Marbella.
11 March 2020
More here.
108. These sheep videos were published online before Mongolia announced the donation to China
Two videos of large flocks of sheep have been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in late February 2020 alongside a claim they show 30,000 sheep that Mongolia donated to China during the novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is misleading; both videos circulated online before Mongolia announced the donation on February 27, 2020. On February 28, 2020, Chinese officials said the two countries were still in the process of discussing logistics of the donation.
11 March 2020
More here.
107. There is no known cure for the novel coronavirus and the patient has not yet been officially cleared (as of March 11)
An article shared thousands of times claims that a South African patient infected with COVID-19 was cured. This is misleading: there is currently no known cure for the disease and resultantly any infected patient’s return to health should be described as a recovery. Moreover, the patient in question has not yet been officially cleared.
11 March 2020
More here.
106. World Health Organization refutes misleading claim that volcanic ash can kill coronavirus
Multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube claim ash produced by a volcano eruption in the Philippines in January 2020 can prevent the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The posts claim the volcano eruption helps to explain why the Philippines is “not that much affected” by COVID-19. The claim is misleading; the World Health Organization (WHO) told AFP there is no evidence that volcanic ash can destroy COVID-19, adding that it poses significant health hazards.
10 March 2020
More here.
105. Indonesia refutes 'hoax' report that it gave citizens free air tickets to return home after coronavirus outbreak
Multiple Facebook posts claim the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has provided 1,000 free tickets for Indonesian nationals abroad to return home following the novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is false; the ministry dismissed the social media posts as a “hoax”; the photos shared in the posts have circulated online before the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
10 March 2020
More here.
104. UNICEF officials refute false claim that agency released coronavirus prevention guidelines
An advisory about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook and WhatsApp alongside a claim that it was released by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The claim is false; UNICEF said that the agency did not release the information; significant parts of the message are contrary to health experts’ advice about the coronavirus.
10 March 2020
More here.
103. These 14 claims on COVID-19 are viral, but misleading
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim to offer expert advice on the novel coronavirus, including symptoms, prevention and how it spreads. This is misleading; experts and health agencies say there is not enough research on the virus to make these specific claims.
9 March 2020
More here.
102. Chloroquine has not been approved as a treatment for COVID-19 (as of March 9)
A WhatsApp voice message circulating in Nigeria claims that anti-malaria drug chloroquine phosphate is a cure for COVID-19. This is misleading: while a study found the molecule showed “apparent efficacy” in treating the disease, trials are still ongoing. Experts also warned against taking the drug without prescription. British officials have opened a probe into an illegal website selling the drug, following AFP's investigation.
9 March 2020
More here.
101. Health experts say drinking water every 15 minutes does not prevent coronavirus infection
Multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter shared hundreds of times in the Philippines claim that doctors in Japan advise people to drink water every 15 minutes in order to prevent being infected by the novel coronavirus, COVD-19. The claim is misleading; the World Health Organization (WHO) says drinking water does not prevent novel coronavirus infection; Japan has not issued a health advisory listing drinking water as a prevention method for COVID-19.
9 March 2020
More here.
100. These notes contain multiple inaccuracies about the novel coronavirus -- the Thai doctor named as the source denied writing them
Three photos of handwritten notes about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, have been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim that they were written by a Thai doctor. The claim is misleading; the notes contain several inaccuracies about COVID-19; the Thai doctor named in the posts as the source of the notes denied writing them.
9 March 2020
More here.
99. This report is not from a genuine news site -- the Vatican said the pope was suffering from a cold
A report has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit in February 2020 which claims the Vatican disclosed that Pope Francis had been infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is false; the Vatican said Pope Francis recently fell ill with a common cold; the site that published the misleading claim is not a reputable media organisation.
6 March 2020
More here.
98. Israeli scientists have not developed a COVID-19 vaccine -- they were still working to develop one in February 2020
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times in Sri Lanka claim that Israeli scientists have developed a vaccine against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. The claim is misleading; Israel’s MIGAL Research Institute said in a press release in February 2020 that it was still working to develop a vaccine for COVID-19; the image of a vial labelled "coronavirus vaccine" in the misleading Facebook posts was taken from a stock photo website.
6 March 2020
More here.
97. No, all international arrivals were not cancelled at an airport in Karachi in February 2020
An image of a terminal display screen showing a list of flights cancelled at an airport in the Pakistani city of Karachi has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp alongside a claim that all international arrivals were halted in February 2020 during the novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is false; Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that international arrivals were not cancelled in February 2020. The photo in the misleading posts corresponds with another image from the airport which has circulated in reports about flights being suspended at the airport in March 2019.
5 March 2020
More here.
96. An image from The Simpsons was digitally altered to make it look like it predicted the novel coronavirus
A series of screenshots from The Simpsons have been circulating online alongside claims that the TV show predicted the novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim is false; the montage features shots from two different episodes, one of which has been digitally altered to include the words “corona virus”.
5 March 2020
More here.
95. Coronavirus hoax spreads online after Rush Limbaugh broadcast
Conservative US radio host Rush Limbaugh compared the novel coronavirus to “a common cold," prompting debate over the virus’ lethality. This is misleading; the strain discovered in late 2019 differs from and is more deadly than the human coronaviruses that can cause a cold, health experts say.
4 March 2020
More here.
94. US disease experts did not issue novel coronavirus-related facial hair guide
US media reports say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued facial hair recommendations for novel coronavirus prevention, citing an infographic. This is misleading; the graphic about facial hair and respirator use is more than two years old and is unrelated to the recent deadly outbreak.
4 March 2020
More here.
93. Sri Lankan authorities say only two suspected coronavirus patients were hospitalised, and both later tested negative
Multiple Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that four patients infected with the novel coronavirus have been admitted to a hospital in Sri Lanka. The claim is misleading; local health authorities told AFP only two suspected patients were admitted, and stressed they have tested negative for COVID-19.
4 March 2020
More here.
92. This photo has circulated in reports since 2014, after one of Iran's vice presidents was injured in a traffic accident
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and Weibo posts published in February 2020 which claim it shows Iranian senior officials visiting the country’s vice president after she contracted the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; this photo has circulated in reports since at least 2014 about one of Iran’s vice presidents, Masoumeh Ebtekar, after she was injured in a traffic accident at least five years before the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Chinese city of Wuhan; the Iranian Embassy in China also clarified the context of the photo in a post on its official Weibo account.
4 March 2020
More here.
91. The story originated from a parody account; no driver is threatening to spread COVID-19 across Nigeria
Multiple posts shared thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp claim that a Nigerian taximan who picked up an Italian visitor infected with the novel coronavirus, in turn, contracted the disease and went on the run, demanding N100 million ($275,000) from the government. This is false; the story originated from a parody account and has been denied by the man pictured in the claim and government officials. The actual driver has reportedly been quarantined.
3 March 2020
More here.
90. Health experts refute new misleading claims about coronavirus prevention in Sri Lanka
A lengthy post promoting several precautionary measures which will purportedly protect people from the novel coronavirus has been shared tens of thousands of times by multiple Sri Lankan Facebook users. But health experts have refuted many of the claims, including one that sunlight can kill the virus, saying they are false or misleading; Sri Lankan health authorities have urged the public to refrain from sharing misleading information in order to curb the coronavirus “info-demic.”
3 March 2020
More here.
89. The video shows a police drill in China during the novel coronavirus epidemic
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts which claim it shows a suspected coronavirus case in China being detained by officials after he failed a body temperature test and attempted to force his way through a blockade. The video has been shared in a misleading context; it shows a police drill at a toll gate in China's Henan province during the novel coronavirus epidemic.
3 March 2020
More here.
88. ‘Coronavirus protection’ masks hawked in misleading video ad on Facebook
A video advertisement on Facebook encourages people to buy face masks to protect against the novel coronavirus. The ad is misleading; US government health authorities do not recommend the general public wear masks for that purpose, and the video uses footage of a doctor who is speaking about unrelated topics to claim medical professionals approve of the product.
3 March 2020
More here.
87. Russia’s Ministry of Health refutes misleading online claim that it stated COVID-19 is man-made
Multiple articles and social media posts viewed tens of thousands of times claim the Russian Ministry of Health confirmed in a document that the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is man-made. The claim is misleading; the Russian Ministry of Health said it did not make such a statement; the document cited in the misleading posts states COVID-19 is a “recombinant virus” which can form naturally.
2 March 2020
More here.
86. This photo has circulated in an online fundraising page for a man with a lung condition unrelated to the novel coronavirus
A photo of a man ill in hospital has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a video of a man eating a bat in a restaurant. The posts claim the man in the image was hospitalised after eating a bat following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The photo and video have been shared in a misleading context; the photo has previously circulated in an online fundraising page for an Indonesian man hospitalised for a lung disease unrelated to the coronavirus epidemic; the video has circulated in separate reports about tourists sampling fruit bats in a restaurant on the island of Palau in Micronesia.
2 March 2020
More here.
85. International health advisories contradict false claim that a runny nose is not a coronavirus symptom
A screenshot of a social media post claiming a runny nose and sputum secretion are not symptoms of novel coronavirus has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter. These claims are false; various health advisories on the coronavirus issued by health authorities worldwide, including those in China where the epidemic emerged, have listed both as possible symptoms of the viral disease.
2 March 2020
More here.
84. This video shows a parade in Italy during an annual art carnival
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside claims that the footage shows a parade in France that was organised to celebrate China’s efforts to combat the deadly novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the video was in fact filmed in Italy during an annual art carnival in February 2020.
2 March 2020
More here.
83. Health experts say there is no evidence vitamin D is effective in preventing novel coronavirus infection
Multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts claim vitamin D can help reduce the risk of novel coronavirus infection. The claim is misleading; health experts told AFP there is insufficient science to definitively say vitamin D can protect from the viral epidemic.
28 February 2020
More here.
82. This is a 2017 photo of Cambodia's Prime Minister after he was hospitalised for an unrelated health condition
A photo of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, and on Line Messenger alongside a claim he was hospitalised after contracting the novel coronavirus. The claim is false; the photo was taken in 2017 when the Prime Minister was being treated for an unrelated health condition at a Singaporean hospital -- at least two years before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
28 February 2020
More here.
81. Experts in India refute misleading claim that China-made Holi festival goods are infected with coronavirus
A claim that Chinese goods imported for the Holi festival in India should be avoided because they are infected with the novel coronavirus has been shared multiple times on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. The claim is misleading; the World Health Organization (WHO) told AFP that the virus does not last long on inanimate surfaces, so it is unlikely imported goods would remain infectious; the Toy Association of India told AFP the virus would not survive on a shipment of Holi festival items as the journey from China generally takes at least two weeks.
27 February 2020
More here.
80. This video shows Chinese medical scientist Zhong Nanshan visiting a hospital in 2016
A video of Zhong Nanshan, a top Chinese medical scientist, meeting with a hospital patient has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows him greeting a doctor in the Chinese city of Wuhan who soon after died of coronavirus in February 2020. The claim is false; the footage has actually been taken from a Chinese television programme that shows Zhong visiting a hospital ward in 2016.
26 February 2020
More here.
79. This image shows a scene from the trailer for 2011 disaster movie Contagion
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Chinese-language posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim it shows a mass burial ground for “virus victims”. The posts were published after the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, spread to dozens of countries after it was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. The claim is false; the image is a screenshot taken from the trailer of the 2011 movie Contagion.
26 February 2020
More here.
78. These images have previously circulated in reports about an elderly Chinese couple who had unrelated health problems
Two images that show an elderly man and woman holding hands across parallel hospital beds have been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts which claim they are an elderly Chinese couple who were infected with the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; the images have previously circulated in reports which stated they were an elderly Chinese couple suffering from health problems unrelated to the novel coronavirus.
25 February 2020
More here.
77. Indian health authority refutes hoax report of coronavirus case in Uttar Pradesh district
A claim that a man infected with an acute case of novel coronavirus has been admitted to a hospital in a town in Uttar Pradesh, India has been shared multiple times on Facebook and Twitter. This claim is false; the district’s health authority said there are no confirmed novel coronavirus patients in the area.
24 February 2020
More here.
76. This video has circulated in media reports since at least October 2019 -- months before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter that claim its shows shoppers scrambling to enter a supermarket in China after the novel coronavirus outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The claim is false; the video has circulated in media reports since at least October 2019, two months before the viral outbreak was first reported.
24 February 2020
More here.
75. The video shows an Islamic conversion in Saudi Arabia in May 2019 – months before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim it shows Chinese people converting to Islam because the novel coronavirus epidemic does not affect Muslims. The claim is false: the video shows people converting to Islam in Saudi Arabia in May 2019, more than half year away before the novel coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China in late 2019.
24 February 2020
More here.
74. This video circulated online weeks before the novel coronavirus was first reported
A video has been shared on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube alongside claims that it shows scores of people from China “escaping to” Vietnam in order to avoid the deadly coronavirus, which broke out in China’s Hubei province in December 2019. The claim is false; the same footage circulated online weeks before the coronavirus outbreak.
21 February 2020
More here.
73. Anti-malaria drug has proven effective in treating coronavirus but has not cured 12,552 patients
A report in Nigeria claims that anti-malaria drug chloroquine has cured 12,552 novel coronavirus patients. This is misleading; the China National Center for Biotechnology Development confirmed the drug has “a certain curative effect on the novel coronavirus”, but did not say it cured 12,552 patients. The drug has only been used in clinical trials with “over 100 patients”.
21 February 2020
More here.
72. This map is a forecast based on past data, not real-time satellite readings
A map has been shared tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which claim it shows elevated sulphur dioxide levels in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the novel coronavirus epidemic. The posts, published in multiple languages, claim the high levels of the gas could be evidence of mass cremation in and around the city. The claim is false; NASA, whose data was used to create the map, told AFP the imagery was created based on forecast figures of man-made sulphur dioxide emissions and volcano gas, not real-time satellite recordings.
21 February 2020
More here.
71. No cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Zimbabwe as of February 20, 2020
Articles shared hundreds of times on Facebook claim that Zimbabwe has confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus. The reports are misleading; no confirmed cases have been recorded as of February 20, 2020. A suspected patient was admitted to hospital but tested negative for the virus.
20 February 2020
More here.
70. This video has circulated online since at least March 2019 – months before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video of a rainbow forming in the wake of a truck spraying moisture over a street has been viewed tens of thousands of times on Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that the footage shows a truck disinfecting a street in China in an effort to contain the novel coronavirus. This claim is false; the video, which shows a truck spraying in China's Sichuan province for dust control purposes, has circulated online since at least March 2019, months before the viral outbreak.
20 February 2020
More here.
69. This video was filmed before the novel coronavirus outbreak
A video shared hundreds of times on social media purports to show people running from a Chinese man who collapsed in Mauritania. The claim is false; the footage was shared online months before the start of the novel coronavirus epidemic.
20 February 2020
More here.
68. Sri Lankan health experts stress there is no evidence that cannabis boosts immunity against the novel coronavirus
A YouTube video of a doctor discussing the health benefits of cannabis has been viewed thousands of times among Sri Lankan Facebook users alongside a claim that cannabis can boost a person's immunity to the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; medical experts have emphasised there is no evidence to suggest that cannabis improves immunity against the virus and have urged the public to follow official government health guidelines.
20 February 2020
More here.
67. Pakistan’s Ministry of Health refutes claim that novel coronavirus was found in chickens
Photos of diseased chicken have been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook posts which claim the deadly novel coronavirus has been found in chickens in Pakistan. The claim is false; Pakistan’s Ministry of Health, National Institute of Health and the Pakistan Poultry Association told AFP there is “no evidence” novel coronavirus has been found in poultry. The photos are also being shared out of context as they show chickens sickened with an unrelated disease.
20 February 2020
More here.
66. Australian officials dismiss hoax report of coronavirus exposure at doctor's surgery in New South Wales town
A claim that a doctor’s office in a New South Wales town was visited by people who had been exposed to the novel coronavirus has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook. The claim is misleading; health officials stated that the only confirmed coronavirus cases in the Australian state were in Sydney, not the regional areas.
20 February 2020
More here.
65. The World Health Organization has said there is not yet a vaccine for the novel coronavirus
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times claim Israel has sent a vaccine to “cure” novel coronavirus patients in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the global outbreak. The posts claim the vaccine has "cured 479 patients so far". The claim is false; as of February 14, no vaccine for novel coronavirus has been developed – the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said there is “no specific medicine” to “prevent or treat” the viral infection, but is “helping to coordinate efforts to develop medicines with a range of partners”; the photos in the misleading posts also do not support the claim.
19 February 2020
More here.
64. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration says it did not issue this 'coronavirus escapee' warning
Multiple Facebook posts have shared a purported government announcement that calls for the arrest of a Chinese national from the city of Wuhan who allegedly escaped quarantine at an airport in the Philippines after the novel coronavirus outbreak. The posts have been shared hundreds of times. The claim is false; the Philippine Bureau of Immigration denied issuing the advisory and called it “a hoax”.
19 February 2020
More here.
63. These photos show a private firm distributing face masks in Manila
Two photos have been shared in multiple posts on Facebook which claim the Philippine government is giving out free face masks to the public following the novel coronavirus outbreak. These photos have been used in a misleading context; they show a private firm distributing free face masks to locals in Manila’s Chinatown, and while the Philippine government did once provide masks free of charge, it has since issued a statement discouraging its use.
19 February 2020
More here.
62. This staged car crash was filmed for a 2018 movie in China’s Heilongjiang province
A video of a car smashing into police vehicles has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Weibo alongside a claim that the incident happened at a police roadblock in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the global novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim is false; the footage shows a staged car crash in China’s Heilongjiang province that was filmed for a Chinese movie released in 2018.
19 February 2020
More here.
61. This video shows people sleeping rough in the Chinese city of Shenzhen
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Twitter and Facebook which claim it shows dead bodies on the streets in the Chinese city of Wuhan after the novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim is false; the video shows people sleeping rough hundreds of miles away in Shenzhen, a southern Chinese city that has implemented an entry-and-exit permit system during the novel coronavirus outbreak.
19 February 2020
More here.
60. This map shows flight paths worldwide -- it does not show the movement of Wuhan residents
A map has been published in multiple news articles and social media posts alongside a claim it shows the forecasted global spread of novel coronavirus based on the movements of residents from the Chinese city of Wuhan. The map has been shared in a misleading context; it actually shows a route map of flight paths around the world.
18 February 2020
More here.
59. Australian couple quarantined onboard Diamond Princess cruise reveal wine drone delivery story was 'just a prank'
Multiple news articles and social media posts published in February 2020 claimed that an Australian couple who were quarantined on a cruise ship off the coast of Japan due to the novel coronavirus outbreak had wine delivered to them by a drone. The claim is false; the couple later told an Australian radio station that their social media posts about the wine delivery were a "prank".
18 February 2020
More here.
58. There are no known deaths or confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Nigeria as of February 18, 2020
An article shared in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter claims Lagos has seen nine confirmed novel coronavirus cases, including four deaths. But the claim is false; health officials told AFP there were no confirmed coronavirus deaths or cases in the country as of February 18, 2020. The story was fabricated from recent reports on a Lassa Fever outbreak in central Nigeria.
18 February 2020
More here.
57. Thai doctors say their treatment helped a coronavirus patient recover, but it was not a 'cure'
Multiple social media posts and media reports shared hundreds of times in February 2020 claim Thailand has cured a COVID-19 patient within 48 hours using a cocktail of an anti-HIV drug and an antiviral drug used for treating influenza. The claim is misleading; Thai doctors say the cocktail of drugs did greatly improve the condition of the patient over 48 hours but did not cure them of the viral infection; the World Health Organisation (WHO) said there is “no specific medicine” to prevent or treat novel coronavirus as of February 14, 2020.
17 February 2020
More here.
56. Indian health authorities dismiss hoax report of novel coronavirus case in east Indian state.
A post has been shared multiple times on Facebook that claims a doctor in Purnea, a district in the east Indian state of Bihar, has identified a novel coronavirus patient. This claim is false; the local health authority said that there are no confirmed novel coronavirus patients in the area as of February 14, 2020. The doctor named in the misleading Facebook post also called the claim “baseless and false."
17 February 2020
More here.
55. This video shows tower blocks in Shanghai, not Wuhan – and the clip has been edited to include the audio
A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple posts on Twitter and YouTube which claim it shows quarantined Wuhan residents greeting each other from their apartment blocks during the novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim is false; the video shows tower blocks in the Chinese city of Shanghai; the audio in the clip directly corresponds with audio from a scene in the 1988 film Coming to America.
17 February 2020
More here.
54. The video shows an Eid prayer in China in June 2019 -- months before the coronavirus outbreak
A video has been viewed millions of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows non-Muslim Chinese people performing a Friday prayer after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in December 2019. The claim is false; the video actually shows an Eid prayer in Yiwu, a Chinese city that attracts many Muslim traders from overseas, in June 2019, several months before the novel coronavirus outbreak.
17 February 2020
More here.
53. No confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have been recorded in Ethiopia (as of February 17, 2020)
Several posts alleging the novel coronavirus has been found in Ethiopia are circulating on Facebook. However, the claims are misleading; as of February 17, 2020, there were no confirmed cases in the country, and Ethiopia’s health authorities said that 17 suspected cases all tested negative.
17 February 2020
More here.
52. Wuhan fire officials say this video shows an apartment fire sparked by a discarded cigarette
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube alongside a claim that it shows an apartment fire that erupted in the Chinese city of Wuhan after concerned residents used alcohol disinfectant against the novel coronavirus. The video has been shared in a misleading context; Wuhan fire officials said the fire was sparked accidentally by a discarded cigarette and refuted the claim that alcohol disinfectant was the cause.
14 February 2020
More here.
51. This video shows humanitarian aid flown from Kenya to China after coronavirus outbreak
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube which claim it shows a plane in Melbourne, Australia carrying a shipment of medical supplies collected by the Chinese diaspora to be delivered to Guangzhou, China. This video has been shared in a misleading context; it actually shows a plane in Nairobi, Kenya carrying aid for Guangzhou.
14 February 2020
More here.
50. This video shows crows in the Chinese city of Xining -- 1,000 miles from Wuhan
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube published in February 2020 alongside a claim that it shows a murder of crows in the sky over the Chinese city of Wuhan following the novel coronavirus outbreak. The video has been shared in a misleading context; it shows scores of crows in the Chinese city of Xining, more than 1,000 miles northwest of Wuhan.
13 February 2020
More here.
49. World Health Organization says COVID-19 means ‘coronavirus disease 2019’ – not 'China outbreak virus'
Claims that COVID-19, a name the World Health Organization (WHO) created for the deadly novel coronavirus that broke out in China, stands for “China Outbreak Virus in December 19” have been viewed hundreds of times in various Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit and Weibo posts. The claim is false; the WHO confirmed COVID-19 is an abbreviation of “coronavirus disease 2019” and said that geographical locations are not included when naming diseases to avoid stigmatisation.
13 February 2020
More here.
48. This video shows a blast in Tianjin, China, in 2015 -- before the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan
A video of a large explosion has been viewed hundreds of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and Vimeo posts alongside a claim that it shows a blast in January 2020 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of an ongoing novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is false; the video shows a deadly explosion in Tianjin, a port city in northeast China, in August 2015.
13 February 2020
More here.
47. Novel coronavirus: misinformation circulates online about US Postal Service operations for mail bound for China and Hong Kong
Multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Weibo claim that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has stated it will no longer accept items destined for China and Hong Kong following a global novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim was repeated in several languages and by some Hong Kong media organisations. The claim is misleading; USPS told AFP on February 12 it would continue to accept items bound for China and Hong Kong but was temporarily unable to offer time guarantees on those shipments; it clarified that it will temporarily halt its transit service that ships mail from other countries to China and Hong Kong.
12 February 2020
More here.
46. Black people aren’t more resistant to novel coronavirus
Facebook posts shared thousands of times claim that a Cameroonian man living in China was cured of the novel coronavirus “because he has black skin”. Although a Cameroonian student was successfully treated for the illness, a doctor from a research centre specialised in the novel coronavirus told AFP there is “no scientific evidence” to suggest black people have a better chance of fighting the virus.
12 February 2020
More here.
45. Philippine authorities did not issue this warning after the novel coronavirus outbreak
An image has been shared repeatedly in multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter which claim the Philippines has issued an order mandating a compulsory quarantine for all travellers returning from 23 countries, in an effort to curb the growing novel coronavirus epidemic. The claim is false; the Philippines government said the image is a hoax; as of February 10, Philippine health officials said only visitors from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan would be subjected to quarantine.
12 February 2020
More here.
45. Hoax report claims China sought Supreme Court approval to euthanise 20,000 coronavirus patients
An article claiming the Chinese government has sought Supreme Court approval to authorise the killing of more than 20,000 novel coronavirus patients in an effort to curb the growing epidemic has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and Reddit. The claim is false; the article was published on a site that has regularly produced hoax reports, and China has made no such announcement.
11 February 2020
More here.
44. Indian officials say novel coronavirus has not been found in poultry
A claim that novel coronavirus has been discovered in chicken raised for meat in Mumbai, India has been shared hundreds of times in multiple Facebook and Twitter posts. The claim is false; the Indian government’s Poultry Development Organization told AFP it was “absolutely wrong” and there is “no evidence” that novel coronavirus has been detected in poultry.
11 February 2020
More here.
43. This chart is old -- it has since been updated to accurately show a much lower H1N1 fatality rate
A chart purporting to show that the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic was far more deadly than the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak has been shared in multiple social media posts. However, the claim is misleading; the posts show an early version of a virus comparison chart that has since been corrected by its publisher to accurately show a lower H1N1 fatality rate.
11 February 2020
More here.
42. Medical doctors challenge claim that Chinese herbal remedy 'inhibits' novel coronavirus after Chinese media reports praised it
Media reports in China claimed the traditional Chinese medicine Shuang Huang Lian could be effective in “inhibiting” the novel coronavirus. A similar claim has been viewed hundreds of millions of times in multiple Weibo, WeChat and Facebook posts. The posts were shared after a global outbreak of a new strain of the novel coronavirus broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. The claim in the posts is misleading; medical doctors said the medicine has not been tested in clinical trials to prove its efficacy against the novel coronavirus; as of February 2020, the World Health Organisation has said there is no medicine to “prevent or treat the virus".
10 February 2020
More here.
41. This photo was published online in 2018, two years before the deadly coronavirus outbreak
A screenshot of a Facebook post that claims Hong Kong police are misappropriating face masks for personal use and that includes a photo of face masks has been shared thousands of times in dozens of posts on Facebook and Twitter. However, the photo is being used misleading context; it has circulated online since at least 2018, two years before the deadly coronavirus outbreak began. Police also denied that officers were misusing masks.
10 February 2020
More here.
40. Thai health experts say there is no evidence the 'green chiretta' herb can prevent the novel coronavirus
An article published by a Thai media site claims that a herb cultivated in southeast Asia, andrographis paniculata or “green chiretta”, can prevent and relieve symptoms of the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading; Thai health experts said there is no scientific evidence that the herb can boost immunity or relieve the symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
10 February 2020
More here.
39. This photo was circulated as a hoax -- the New South Wales health authority said it is unrelated to the novel coronavirus in Australia
An image has been shared repeatedly in multiple Facebook posts published in January 2020 which claim it shows a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in a suburb of Sydney, Australia. The claim is false; in response to the photo, the New South Wales health authority told AFP on February 6, 2020 there had been no confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in the cited suburb.
10 February 2020
More here.
37. Lysol product labels are not evidence of a novel coronavirus conspiracy
Social media users claim that because Lysol products are labeled as being effective against “human coronavirus,” the novel coronavirus first reported in China’s Wuhan is not new. This is misleading; they are a family of viruses, and Lysol’s manufacturer said it has not tested its products against the new strain.
8 February 2020
More here.
37. This viral video shows a high-school initiation in South Africa
A video shared thousands of times in several languages purports to show coronavirus patients in China. The claim is false; the people in the footage are South African students taking part in a high-school initiation.
7 February 2020
More here.
36. This woman's family said there is no evidence she died after contracting the novel coronavirus
A video has been viewed thousands of times in a Facebook post published in January 2020 that claims it shows a woman fainting after contracting the novel coronavirus that caused a global pandemic in 2020. The claim is misleading; the woman's family told AFP there is no evidence she died from the coronavirus; the hospital authorities have said they are cotinuing to investigate the cause of her death; Malaysian authorities have said 14 people have contracted the novel coronavirus but none have died as of February 7, 2020.
7 February 2020
More here.
35. Thai Department of Health denies authorising face mask infographic after novel coronavirus outbreak
An infographic describing different types of sanitary face masks and their effectiveness against germs and air pollutants has been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. The graphic claims that the Thai Department of Health is its source of information. The claim is false; the Department of Health told AFP that the image was created and distributed without its consent.
7 February 2020
More here.
34. This video shows workmen uncovering a bat-infested roof in the US state of Florida in 2011
A video showing scores of bats nesting under tiles of a roof has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook that it shows the cause of the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in China. The claim is false; the video has circulated online since at least July 2011 and actually shows repairs being made to the roof of a bat-infested house in the city of Miami in the United States.
7 February 2020
More here.
33. This video shows Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting a mosque in China in 2016
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, shared alongside a claim that it shows China’s leader praying at a mosque following the novel coronavirus outbreak. This claim is false; this video has circulated since at least 2016 in media reports about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to a mosque in northwest China.
7 February 2020
More here.
32. Dettol’s manufacturer denied it tested its products on the novel strain of coronavirus
An image of a Dettol label that touts the disinfectant's ability to kill the "coronavirus" has been shared tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook posts alongside a claim that the product’s maker may have been aware of the novel coronavirus before it broke out in China in December 2019. The claim is misleading; the cleaning product’s reference to “coronavirus” denotes its effectiveness in protecting people from a general group of viruses, including the common cold; Dettol’s manufacturer said it has not tested its products against the novel coronavirus.
6 February 2020
More here.
31. This photo shows the Egyptian doctor who discovered MERS coronavirus but he did not invent a vaccine
A photo of an Egyptian doctor has been published in a news report that states he invented a coronavirus vaccine. The report was published after a new strain of coronavirus broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan, infecting more than 28,000 people as of early February 2020. The claim in the report is misleading; Dr Ali Mohamed Zaki of Egypt identified a new strain of coronavirus that caused Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and he did not invent a vaccine for it.
6 February 2020
More here.
30. The Indian Health Ministry said it did not issue this 'emergency warning' via text message
A lengthy text post has been shared repeatedly on Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp alongside a claim that it is an official message issued by India's Ministry of Health after the oubreak of a new strain of novel coronavirus in India. The claim is false; the Indian government’s Press Information Bureau said it did not issue the purported emergency warning message.
6 February 2020
More here.
29. This photo was taken during Li Keqiang’s visit to quake-stricken Sichuan in 2013
A photo of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang eating in a tent has been viewed thousands of times on Weibo, WeChat and Twitter in February 2020 alongside a claim that it shows him dining in the central Chinese city of Wuhan during the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The claim is false; the photo was taken during Li’s visit to Sichuan following a deadly earthquake in 2013.
6 February 2020
More here.
28. False novel coronavirus warnings circulating in Alberta
Canadian Facebook posts claim the novel coronavirus has reached the western province of Alberta, with confirmed cases in Edmonton and Calgary. This is false; provincial health officials said there are no confirmed cases within their jurisdiction.
5 February 2020
More here.
27. Philippine health experts dismiss misleading online claim that tinospora crispa plants can treat novel coronavirus
A video has been viewed more than one million times in multiple posts on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter alongside a claim that the sap of tinospora crispa plants can serve as an “antibiotic” against the novel coronavirus when used as an eye drop. The claim is misleading; Philippine health experts told AFP that the plant sap could not be used to treat viruses, including the novel coronavirus, and warned against inserting it into the eyes; the World Health Organisation also warns that antibiotics cannot be used to treat viruses.
5 February 2020
More here.
26. This video shows a former Malaysian prime minister praying in a Beijing mosque in 2004
A video has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts published in 2020 with a claim that it shows the "Chinese prime minister" praying inside a mosque after the outbreak of a new strain of novel coronavirus in China. The claim is false; the video actually shows Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian Prime Minister at that time, attending a Friday prayer at a Beijing mosque when he visited China in 2004.
5 February 2020
More here.
25. Indian health experts say there is no evidence of link between novel coronavirus transmission and specific food items
A video showing larva being removed from a patient's lip has been viewed thousands of times in multiple Facebook, Twitter and YouTube posts alongside a claim that the novel coronavirus can be spread through “a worm” found in certain food and drinks. The video has been shared in a misleading context; it has circulated in reports since at least October 2019 about a parasite being removed from a person's lip, more than two months before the new strain of novel coronavirus broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Indian health officials have said there is no evidence that specific food items can cause transmission of the novel coronavirus.
5 February 2020
More here.
24. Health experts refute false claims that drinking boiled garlic water cures novel coronavirus
Claims that the novel coronavirus can be cured overnight if sufferers drink freshly boiled garlic water have been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The posts were shared after a new strain of novel coronavirus broke out in the Chinese city of Wuhan and subsequently spread to more than 20 other countries. The claim is false; medical experts told AFP there was no evidence to support the theory about drinking garlic water; international health organisations do not recommend the remedy and have said there is no specific antiviral treatment for the new strain of the novel coronavirus.
5 February 2020
More here.
23. Health authorities did not say drinking water will prevent coronavirus
Facebook posts shared thousands of times in various countries claim that drinking water can prevent coronavirus. Many posts present the information as “health bulletins” from the officials in Canada or the Philippines. However, authorities have issued no such advice.
4 February 2020
More here.
22. Not only is the source of the virus unknown, but the dead cells inside rhino horn also are incapable of keeping it alive
Multiple posts shared hundreds of times on Facebook claim the novel coronavirus comes from the use of rhino horn. The claim is false because not only is the source of the crisis in China still unknown, but the dead tissue that rhino horn consists of also cannot sustain a virus, which needs living cells to replicate.
4 February 2020
More here.
21. Sri Lankan health experts refute misleading online claim that country has eradicated novel coronavirus
An image has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Facebook that claim Sri Lanka has become the world’s first country to completely eradicate the novel coronavirus, after its one confirmed coronavirus patient made a full recovery. The claim is misleading; Sri Lankan health experts say the patient's recovery is insufficient evidence that the country has eradicated the virus, as the “possibility for other infected patients” remains; they also urged the public to continue following government recommendations for prevention.
4 February 2020
More here.
20. This photo has circulated in reports about a Japanese medical team travelling to China in 2008
A photo of healthcare personnel has been shared thousands of times in multiple social media posts alongside claims that the photo shows a team of one thousand Japanese medical professionals going to provide aid in Wuhan, the epicenter of the new coronavirus outbreak in China. This claim is false; the photo in fact shows a Japanese medical team traveling to Chengdu, China following an earthquake in 2008. The Japanese embassy in Manila also told AFP that reports of a Japanese medical team being sent to Wuhan are "not true."
4 February 2020
More here.
19. Novel coronavirus: health experts warn against steaming face masks for reuse after misinformation on Chinese social media
A video of a purported doctor advising people to steam disposable surgical face masks in order to reuse them has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times in multiple Chinese-language posts on Facebook, Weibo and Youku in January 2020. The posts were shared as China announced more than 20,000 people have been infected with a new strain of novel coronavirus, killing at least 425 people. The claim in the posts is misleading; health experts advise against steaming surgical masks, as it can damage them; they also warn against reusing masks as harmful bacteria and viruses can remain on their surface.
4 February 2020
More here.
18. Chinese authorities have not recorded 300,000 confirmed novel coronavirus cases; there is no precise figure available for overall infections (as of February 4, 2020)
A story that has been shared in multiple posts on Facebook in Nigeria claims that more than 300,000 Chinese people have been infected with the novel coronavirus. The claim is misleading: Chinese health authorities have recorded just over 20,400 confirmed cases as of February 4, 2020, and experts say that there is currently no precise figure available for overall infections.
4 February 2020
More here.
17. This video was made by a student for a college project -- it does not show a trained doctor
A video purporting to show a doctor comparing blood samples taken from a person infected with the new strain of coronavirus to that of a healthy person has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times online. This claim is false; the video creator told AFP that he is not a doctor but a college student who made the video for a project on how videos go viral on the internet.
4 February 2020
More here.
16. Health experts in Sri Lanka refute claims of herbal cure for novel coronavirus
In the days following Sri Lanka's first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, an article was shared hundreds of times on Facebook claiming that asafoetida, a plant often used in traditional Indian medicine, can prevent all coronavirus infection. This claim is misleading; health experts in Sri Lanka say there is no evidence asafoetida or other herbal medicine can definitively protect people from infection.
3 February 2020
More here.
15. Australian health officials dismiss hoax report about new novel coronavirus case outside Sydney
A purported screenshot of a local Australian media report which states an 18-year-old man living just outside Sydney has tested positive for the novel coronavirus has been shared more than one hundred times in multiple posts on Facebook. The claim is false; the local media organisation, 7News, said it did not publish the purported report; the New South Wales health authority said the report was a hoax.
3 February 2020
More here.
14. This is a 2014 photo of people participating in an art project in Frankfurt, Germany
A photo of people lying down on the ground has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook alongside a claim it shows people who died from the new coronavirus in China. The claim is false; the image shows people participating in an art project in 2014 to remember the victims of the Nazi's Katzbach concentration camp in Frankfurt.
3 February 2020
More here.
13. Chinese ‘spies’ did not steal deadly coronavirus from Canada
Websites and social media users claim that the new coronavirus discovered in the city of Wuhan may have been created in Canada and stolen by Chinese spies. This is false; Canadian health and federal police officials say it has no factual basis.
31 January 2020
More here.
12. Novel coronavirus: Pakistani officials deny they issued warning over dangers of eating goat meat
An image has been shared thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook claiming Punjab province in Pakistan issued a warning against eating goat meat for 60 days following a coronavirus outbreak in the livestock. The claim is false; the Punjab Food Authority issued a statement denying such warnings had been issued, and a spokesperson at the Pakistan’s National Institute of Health told AFP there was no evidence that the novel coronavirus was spreading among livestock in the country.
31 January 2020
More here.
11. Singapore denies it closed a subway station after novel coronavirus discovery
A Facebook post claims Singapore closed a subway station in January 2020 after discovering a case of novel coronavirus. The claim is false; Singapore’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport denied that any part of its mass rapid transit (MRT) network had been shut down for disinfection.
31 January 2020
More here.
10. Novel coronavirus: Australia refutes claims that a travel warning was issued for Queensland suburbs
A purported screenshot of a warning from health authorities in the Australian state of Queensland for the novel coronavirus has circulated on Facebook alongside a claim that the government issued an advisory against travel to the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the epidemic erupted, and several Queensland suburbs with a large Chinese population. The claim is false; this is a doctored image; Queensland Health told AFP there had been no relevant warning issued against specific suburbs as of January 29, 2020.
31 January 2020
More here.
9. Novel coronavirus: Australian authorities refute hoax about 'contaminated' foods and locations
Multiple Facebook posts shared hundreds of times purport to show a list of foods and locations in Sydney, Australia which have been contaminated by a new strain of coronavirus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The claim is false; the local Australian health authority told AFP the locations listed pose no risk to visitors, and the foods named do not appear in the New South Wales food authority’s list of recalls and advisories.
31 January 2020
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8. Philippine health chief dismisses 'ridiculous' hoax that novel coronavirus is a type of rabies
Multiple misleading Facebook posts shared thousands of times in the Philippines claim the novel coronavirus strain is “a type of rabies”. The Philippine Health Secretary refuted the claim as “close to ridiculous”; experts say the viruses are innately different.
30 January 2020
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7. Sri Lankan authorities say this man suffered from a condition unrelated to novel coronavirus
Two videos have been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple Facebook and YouTube posts that claim they show a man who collapsed in Sri Lanka after becoming infected with the novel coronavirus. The video has been shared in a misleading context; the Sri Lankan government said the man in the video was suffering from a medical condition unrelated to the novel coronavirus; the office building where the man collapsed also issued a statement clarifying that he had been suffering from "fatigue".
30 January 2020
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6. China coronavirus: health experts refute misinformation about how to wear face masks
Misinformation about the correct way to wear disposable face masks has spread on Facebook and WhatsApp following the global outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus. The posts were shared hundreds of times by Facebook users based in Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
29 January 2020
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5. This photo is a stock image of a building that has circulated online since at least January 2019
A photo has been shared hundreds of times in multiple posts on Twitter and Facebook alongside a claim that it shows a hospital in Wuhan, China that was constructed in just 16 hours following the outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus. The photo has been shared in a misleading context; it is a stock image of the hospital that has circulated online since at least January 2019; AFP visited the construction site of a new hospital in Wuhan on January 27, 2020 and found it was still in the very early stages of development.
29 January 2020
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4. Doctors have not projected 11 million people quarantined in Wuhan, China, will die from coronavirus
A Facebook post shared thousands of times among Sri Lankan Facebook users claims doctors have expressed fears that the entire population of the Chinese city of Wuhan will die following the global outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The claim is false; Chinese authorities have not projected that 11 million people quarantined in Wuhan in January 2020 will die; the US Centres of Disease Control and Prevention has stated there is no vaccine for human coronavirus but most people will recover on their own.
28 January 2020
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3. No, this video shows a market selling wild animals in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island
A video has been viewed tens of thousands of times in multiple posts on Facebook that claim it shows a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where a new coronavirus strain emerged. The claim is false; the video shows a market in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island.
27 January 2020
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2. The coronavirus plaguing China was not created by a US government agency
Facebook posts claim that the coronavirus spreading in China was created by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, offering a real patent as proof. This is false; the CDC did register a patent, but in an effort to combat a different strain than the one that caused the outbreak that started in the city of Wuhan.
24 January 2020
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1. Saline solution kills China coronavirus? Experts refute online rumor
Multiple posts on Weibo, Twitter and Facebook shared in January 2020 claim that a top Chinese respiratory expert has told people to rinse their mouths with salt water solution to prevent infection from a new virus outbreak. The posts were published after a new coronavirus strain was discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, infecting hundreds of people. The claim is false; the expert's team said saline would not "kill" the new virus and urged people not to believe or share medically-inaccurate online rumours; the World Health Organization told AFP there was no evidence that saline solution would protect against infection from the new coronavirus.
24 January 2020
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