CLAIM: Paracetamol P/500 contains Machupo virus
SOURCE: WhatsApp groups
VERDICT: False
An old claim has once again resurfaced.
The message circulating on WhatsApp claims that a certain brand of paracetamol tablets contain the Machupo virus. The text reads, ‘Be careful not to take the paracetamol that comes written P/500. It is a new, very white and shiny paracetamol, doctors prove to contain ‘Machupo’ virus, considered one of the most dangerous viruses in the world. And with high mortality rate. Please share this message, with all people on your contact list as well as family, and save a life or lives. I’ve done my part, now it’s your turn. Remember that God helps those who help others and themselves! Forward as received.’
With the abundance of health information available today, and the consequences of misinformation so dire, it can be hard to tell what is true or not.
False or misleading information is causing people to make decisions that could have dangerous consequences for their health. Misinformation about diseases, illnesses, potential treatments and cures, vaccines, diets, and cosmetic procedures is especially harmful.
The message going around on social media on paracetamol tablets having the Machupo virus are not new.
Some of these are from 2017. However, despite numerous fact-checks, including these here, here and here, the message keeps popping up now and again.
Paracetamol
It is an over-the-counter medication, the standard and first-line treatment for fever and acute pain in many countries. drugs. It was first used clinically by Joseph von Mering in (1893). Paracetamol is a generic name and the drug is now produced under various brand names in different countries. In Zimbabwe paracetamol tablets are both manufactured locally and imported, especially from India.
Hoax Alert
Some of the tell tale signs that this is a hoax is that the message is dated 7 March (no year) and it is being shared before 7 March 2024. This shows that this is an old screenshot resurfacing.
The picture of the paracetamol shows that this was a batch manufactured in August 2016, due to expire in July 2017 – which already belies the ‘new’ in the message. The message does not have any relevant details that would be required if it was a genuine health alert – it does not mention the country, the date and year or specific doctors or health board.
The grammatical mistakes are also a red flag.
However, like most hoaxes, it appeals to emotions by attempting to trigger fear and panic.
Conclusion
The message that the paracetamol p-500 tablet contains the Machupo virus is an old hoax. It has been in circulation since 2017 and has been debunked in over 10 different countries where the message has circulated, including in Asia and Africa.
