Rumors circulating recently in the town of Bouar claiming that the flu is similar to COVID-19 are false.
For several months in Bouar, a town located 451 kilometers from Bangui, rumors have been spreading by word of mouth, claiming that COVID-19 is just the flu. This rumor has gained traction and is causing confusion in the locality regarding this pandemic. Therefore, the editorial team of the Central African Fact-checkers Association deemed it necessary to verify this rumor.
We conducted an interview with the Head of the Urban Health Center in Herman, Dr. Dieudonné Ndebissa, who explained: “You know that the flu is one of the old diseases. And through the flu, experiences have shown that many people have been infected with COVID-19.” He added, “Indeed, when someone has the flu, it should not be immediately assumed to be COVID-19. Our approach as health specialists is to consult the patient and prescribe tests because only tests can determine whether a person is positive for COVID-19 or not.”
Additionally, we consulted the official WHO website, which clarifies that COVID-19 and the flu are both infectious respiratory diseases and share some symptoms. However, they are caused by different viruses, and there are differences between the groups of people most vulnerable to severe forms of each.
The rumor circulating in Bouar that the flu is identical to the coronavirus is false. After verification by the AFC, it has been found to be untrue.
Bouar Community Radio Team/AFC
OIF Twinning Project AFC/Congo Check/RMCC
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