PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has rubbished rumours that dates from the Middle East are tainted with a potentially-deadly coronavirus originating from bats.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry has checked with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on whether Middle Eastern countries have issued an advisory on the virus.
“We were informed that so far, no such warning has been issued by the WHO or any of the relevant countries.
“The public is advised not to believe in inaccurate news which can cause confusion and panic among society. Sharing false messages can cause anxiety and affect the public’s wellbeing,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Noor Hisham was commenting on viral messages on social media claiming that dates from the Middle East are infected with coronavirus, and that consumers are advised to wash the fruits before consuming them.
He added that the ministry is always alert to issues that may threaten public health.