Coronavirus alert! Having milk? Eating chicken, mutton? Don't believe fake WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter messages - Read this

With the rising number of deaths due to novel coronavirus, the fear related to the disease is growing by the day. And, amid all these fears and deaths, rumour mills are also on. Thousands of fake messages on coronavirus are going viral on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites and apps. Once such rumour going viral is about having milk, eating chicken, mutton and other meat items. Here is what the World Health Organization (WHO) has to say on Novel Coronavirus - Check WHO's advice for the public on meat and milk:-

- Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products

- Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

- As a general precaution, practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets

- Ensure regular hand washing with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands; and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products.

- Strictly avoid any contact with other animals in the market (e.g., stray cats and dogs, rodents, birds, bats).

- Avoid contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities.

Coronavirus

According to World Health Organization (WHO) website, "Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans."

"Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans."

Common signs

As per the WHO website, "Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death."