The deadly coronavirus outbreak which has been declared a pandemic by WHO has taken a lot of lives worldwide. The total number of positive coronavirus cases in India has crossed 100-mark and as per the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
While the world is fighting the deadly outbreak, there have been many myths surrounding it. In a recent, a post is doing rounds in which it is claimed that by eating chicken and mutton, you can get infected with the coronavirus.
“Carona virus has been found in broiler chicken,” reads a screenshot of an older Facebook post uploaded on Facebook in Nigeria on 1 March 2020. “Request to all of you not to eat broiler chicken,” it adds.
Check out the post:
FACT CHECK:
Many sites have debunked the claim since it began circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook. Health officials in India have tried to put an end to the claim.
In early February the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which is based in the region where the rumour first began, released a statement that there was “no evidence” that broiler chickens were spreading coronavirus.
Fact-checkers at AFP spoke to several experts who said no poultry – such as chickens – were thought to carry the virus. A spokesperson for the Indian Department of Health and Family Welfare told AFP: “There is no evidence that suggests [the new coronavirus] can be transmitted through food.”
The World Health Organization has advised people to be cautious of direct contact with animals in places like live animal markets. “Ensure good food safety practices at all times,” it says. Cook all meat thoroughly, and take care when handling raw meat.
मटन खाने से #Coronavirus का संक्रमण नहीं होता है!#Coronavirusoutbreak से डरें नहीं सावधानी बरतें!
अधिक जानकारी के लिए पढ़े: https://t.co/k9c91lERrP pic.twitter.com/g1agtUVmAr
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) March 17, 2020
But the WHO doesn’t say we should avoid eating a certain food, such as chicken.
Final Verdict:
No, coronavirus can not be transmitted by eating chicken and mutton but it is advised to take care of the raw ingredient before cooking and also maintain hygiene.
