Myth 1: There are claims of cures or vaccines being discovered for the virus.
Reality: According to the current medical consensus there is currently no vaccine to prevent infection or cure for people who have tested positive for infection. Accordingly, what is being done to help patients recover are standard medical interventions to reduce symptoms and manage complications. However everyone can take precautions by following the prevention guidelines and exercising common sense.
Myth 2: Some people planning to perform Haj and Umrah have been advised to cancel their trips out of concern of infection and spread.
Reality: The Ministry of Health has not yet issued any advisories regarding Haj or Umrah, but based on the current medical consensus, people over 65, pregnant women, and children under 12, and those suffering immunodeficiency or chronic ailments are advised to postpone their trip. However everyone can take precautions by following the prevention guidelines and exercising common sense.
Myth 3: Travelers from KSA are banned from entering certain countries.
Reality: No travel bans to KSA have been enforced by any country, and travellers from the Kingdom have not faced any problems entering other countries around the world. The World Health Organisation has not recommended any travel restrictions to or from KSA.
Myth 4: This is an epidemic.
Reality: According to the World Health Organization, there is no epidemic for the time being, but the Ministry of Health is taking all the precautions and other necessary actions to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and is working to achieve that with a number of leading international specialists and organisations including the WHO, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Myth 5: Special precautions are needed to avoid infection.
Reality: There is a medical consensus that common sense prevention measures are sufficient to reduce exposure risk, avoiding physical contact with people who are sick, regularly washing hands with soap and water or other sanitizers, avoiding touching the mouth, nose and eyes, and avoiding raw meat and animal produce such as milk. The latest updates to prevention measures can be found on the ministry’s website by following the link below:
www.moh.gov.sa/coronanew
Myth 6: Camels, bats, rats and other animals are all confirmed virus-carriers.
Reality: The current medical consensus confirms that the corona virus that causes MERS is to be found in animal hosts which are camels and bats. The full lifecycle of the virus and its incubation is still being studied, but it is prudent to stay away from such animals in general – there is always a risk that they may be carrying dangerous microorganisms.
Myth 7: Camel meat and milk are dangerous to consume.
Reality: Based on the current medical consensus, meat must be cooked well (including liver) before consuming, and fresh milk to be boiled before drinking. Only uncooked camel meat and raw camel milk are potentially harmful and could harbor the virus. Cooking the meat and drinking boiled or pasteurized milk will make it safe to consume.
Myth 8: MERS-Corona Virus is the same as the SARS virus.
Reality: MERS-Corona Virus is not the same as that which caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003.
• RELATED VIDEO: How to prevent Coronavirus
• Source: MOH Website, www.moh.gov.sa
