Media should restrain from creating coronavirus panic: Lancet

The medical journal Lancet has made an appeal to the media to report about the Wuhan coronavirus responsibly since not much is not known about the disease yet.

By: IANS | | Updated: January 29, 2020 10:57 am

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the disease as "high risk", but it is yet to declare the novel coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). @Shutterstock

As much is yet to be known about the new coronavirus that has killed over 100 people in China, an editorial in the medical journal Lancet has advised news media to exercise the utmost caution while reporting on the virus. Also Read - Donald Trump says COVID-19 vaccine could be ready in a month, China targeting November release

“News media that worsen fears by reporting a ‘killer virus’ only harm efforts to implement a successful and safe infection control strategy,” said the editorial. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the disease as “high risk”, but it is yet to declare the novel coronavirus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Also Read - Annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations may help reduce heart failure death

“We commend WHO for its resilience,” said the editorial of the Lancet which last week published the first clinical data from individuals confirmed to be infected with 2019-nCoV from Wuhan, China. “There are still many gaps in our understanding. The early experiences of these patients and the response to their symptoms before cases were reported remain undocumented. The exposure and possible infection of health workers remain extremely worrying,” it said. Also Read - 21 existing drugs that could treat COVID-19

While there are enormous demands for rapid access to information about this new virus, the patients and communities affected and the response, the journal emphasised that the need to ensure that those data are reliable, accurate and independently scrutinised is equally crucial.

“We will not know for some time the consequences of the quarantine imposed in Wuhan on Jan 23, 2020. Chinese public health authorities are under enormous pressure to make difficult decisions with an incomplete, and rapidly changing, understanding of the epidemic,” it added

Published : January 29, 2020 10:55 am | Updated:January 29, 2020 10:57 am

Read Disclaimer

Say not to high fibre diets: It can cause bloating

Wuhan coronavirus gets 'high risk' tag

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com

+91 – 22 – 6697 1234

91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

We respect your privacy

Say not to high fibre diets: It can cause bloating

Wuhan coronavirus gets 'high risk' tag

Donald Trump says COVID-19 vaccine could be ready in a month, China targeting November release

Annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations may help reduce heart failure death

21 existing drugs that could treat COVID-19

You’re are more likely to contract COVID-19 at home, says study

Pneumonia: What you can do prevent this respiratory infection

About The health Site

Useful Links