Muhammad Bashir Shuaib, Confidence News Ng

Claim

Paracetamol which comes with written “P 500” contains Machupo Virus, a dangerous Virus.

Verdict

False

Full text

A larger number of online users have recently shared the false message, which includes a disturbing image of a person with rashes, warning users not to take the supposedly contaminated Paracetamol written P 500 and urging them to share the message with others. 

The text reads “URGENT WARNING! Be careful not to take paracetamol which comes with a written P 500. It is a new very white and shiny paracetamol, doctors advise that it contains the “Machupo” virus, considered one of the most dangerous viruses in the world, with a high mortality rate. Please share this message with everyone on your contact list as well as your family, and save a life or lives… I’ve done my part, and now it’s your turn, remember that God helps those who help others themselves. Forward as received.”

Verification

The claim became more popular after it recently resurfaced on WhatsApp platforms.

This Confidence News Ng reporter conducted a fact-check on the claim using “MyAifactcker,” a reliable AI-powered fact checker with interesting quality that gives the user an option of reading through sources for further verification of their claim. The fact gathered from the search is that, Paracetamol P 500 does not contain the Machupo virus and the claim has been debunked by multiple sources including government advisories.

Going further in the findings, this researcher gathered that the claim has been circulating since 2017 and further resurfaced recently, multiple reports have been published by fact-check organizations and agencies. Daily Trust in 2022 reported that the virus (Machupo virus), which is called Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever (BHF) has only been recorded in Bolivia and has not been associated with drugs.

Conclusion

The trending message that Paracetamol written P 500 contains Machupo Virus with a picture of a lady covered in rashes has been thoroughly investigated and it is completely False. 

Muhammad Bashir Shuaib is an investigative reporter and fact-checker, he can be reached via shuaibmuhammadbashir751@gmail.com