Coronavirus: Misinformation and false medical advice spreads in Iran By Shayan Sardarizadeh

BBC Monitoring Published duration 29 February Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic

image copyright AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Iran has been scrambling to control the outbreak of the coronavirus this week, but the spread of online misinformation is presenting a new challenge to the authorities.

False or misleading medical advice, fake letters or remarks attributed to senior officials, and a number of conspiracy theories about the origin of the virus have appeared on Iranian social media and messaging apps in recent days.

But sources in the country's health system have told BBC Persian that the death toll currently stands at 210

According to Cyber Police Chief Vahid Majid, 24 individuals have so far been arrested for spreading rumours about the virus, with 118 receiving a warning.

'Totally fabricated'

Misleading posts linked to senior officials have gone viral on Iranian social media in recent days.

Mr Namaki said in a statement that the letter was "false"

An examination of the letter using an image verification tool also shows basic manipulation techniques were used to create it.

An audio clip attributed to deputy health minister and head of Iran's taskforce on Covid-19, Iraj Harirchi, was shared on the Telegram messaging app.

Mr Harirchi had previously declared that "quarantines belong to the Stone Age", before admitting that he had tested positive for the disease

media caption Iraj Harirchi mopped his brow at a news conference before testing positive for coronavirus disease.

But the clip is actually a voice impression, and is different from Mr Harirchi's local accent.

Masoumeh Ebtekar, vice-president for women and family affairs, is another high-ranking official who tested positive for the virus

An image of Ms Ebtekar in a hospital bed was shared on Twitter, with criticism that none of the visitors wore masks or kept their distance from her.

But a reverse search shows the photo was taken in 2014 , after Ms Ebtekar sustained injuries in a car accident.

'Kill the virus'

From the outset of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran, false advice on prevention and treatment has been shared on digital platforms.

The Isna agency spoke with a "Persian medicine expert" at the health ministry who suggested "gargling vinegar and rosewater or vinegar and salt" would protect against the Covid-19.

The Khabar Online news website tweeted that drinks containing mint or white willow, and spices like saffron, turmeric, and cinnamon would strengthen the lungs and the immune system against the virus.

And actress Behnoush Bakhtiari faced criticism for an Instagram video in which she suggested to her 8.1 million followers that a product "made from herbs based on traditional medicine" would help with the prevention of a number of viral diseases.

Following a wave of criticism, she said she had not claimed the product would cure the virus.

None of these suggestions can be seen in the World Health Organization's official advice for the public on protective measures against the virus.

'Hybrid warfare'

Conspiracy theories have also found their way onto social media.

Ali Akbar Raefipour, a public speaker and conspiracy theorist with a huge following among young hardliners, claimed that the virus was part of a "hybrid warfare" programme waged by the US on China and Iran.

image copyright AFP/GETTY IMAGES

He had also suggested the virus might be an example of "biological warfare"