Paracetamol or otherwise known as acetaminophen being reported to have been contaminated with the dangerous Machupo virus is a hoax warning. A hoax is circulating social media that the over-the-counter painkiller is contaminated with the Machupo virus and should be avoided.
Where did this hoax originate? In early 2017, social media warnings about paracetamol allegedly contaminated with the Machupo virus began circulating. Machupo (also known as “Bolivian hemorrhagic virus” or “black typhus”) is endemic in north and east Bolivia, and is generally spread through air or food.
According to these warnings, new “very white and shiny” P/500 paracetamol has become contaminated with the pathogen, posing a severe risk of infection for those who take the drug. However, these warnings generally appear alone, without any news reports or public health agency releases attached to corroborate the claims.
Here are some examples of people sharing the hoax on social media.
be careful not to take the new paracetamol, that comes written P/ 500 it contain MACHUPO””” VIRUS pic.twitter.com/bZGisYzAAg
— eben David (@ebenDavid2) February 23, 2017
My cousin in Australia sent me email Warning if a Dr. scrips 4 Paracetamol P/500 do not take it contains”Machupo “virus deadly!
— Bev Majkut (@bevhavav8) March 8, 2017
URGENT WARNING!
Paracetamol that comes written P / 500 It’s new very white /shiny it contains “Machupo” virus dangerous virus mortality rate— Grounds Maintenance (@swindon200) March 6, 2017
According to Snopes, there is no truth to the warning. Public health officials have released statements confirming that the rumors were just that, and not credible. Indonesia’s Food and Drug Administration counterpart also advised that the claim is a hoax.
“[Prior to the spread of social media rumors, the agency] never received credible reports that support the claim that the Machupo virus has been found in Paracetamol drug product or other drug products.
Machupo virus itself is known is a type of virus that spread can occur through air, food, or direct contact. Machupo virus can be sourced from the saliva, urine, or feces of infected rodents and become a carrier ( reservoir ) of the virus.
Head POM, Penny K. Lukito said that POM never find things like that rumored, including Machupo virus content in the drug product.”
On Feb. 8 2017, public health officials in Malaysia further debunked the rumors by reiterating that viruses typically cannot survive the pill-making process.
“The Malaysian Health Ministry today shot down rumours circulating on social media that P/500 paracetamol tablets in Malaysia contain the ‘Machupo’ virus.
Malaysia’s Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, just like most viruses, the Machupo cannot live in dry environments such as in paracetamol tablets.
“The Machupo virus is categorised in the Arenavirus group which could cause haemorrhagic fever. At the moment, the virus can only be found in South America.
“It is spread through the urine or faeces of infected rodents,” he said in a statement today.
Noor Hisham said the ministry had not received any reports regarding paracetamol contamination from authorities in manufacturing countries or any other country so far.”
Paracetamol is used to treat many conditions such as headache, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. It relieves pain in mild arthritis but has no effect on the underlying inflammation and swelling of the joint.
Have you seen people spreading this hoax on social media? Have you seen reports to the contrary about this drug? Let us know in the comments section.
Photo Credit: Source
