Faster than the spread of the virus are the rumours surrounding the coronavirus epidemic.

The fast-spreading 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) which initially broke out in Wuhan, China has already killed over 130 people as well as infected more than 6.000 people in China and has since spread to the UAE, the US, Australia and several other countries around the world.

Amongst the outbreak of the fatally contagious virus are rumours that the coronavirus can be transmitted via imported good or packages coming from China through online shopping, which the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) have confirmed is NOT TRUE.

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The DHA have announced that there is NO evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted by any imported packages, items or goods

According to Dr Nancy Messonier, the director of the CDC’s Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, it is very unlikely that coronavirus can survive on surfaces ‘that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.’

There is no evidence that #nCoV can be transmitted by items and goods#CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/YQlnrMQRIV

— هيئة الصحة بدبي (@DHA_Dubai) January 31, 2020

Netizens are expressing their utmost fear of ordering packages online that could possibly be shipped over from China

That rat is adorable!! Oh, and burn that package from China.

— Scout (@rsascout) January 26, 2020

nCoV is a human-to-human transmissible disease that’s imparted between animals and people and thus far there are NO reports that verify the spread of the virus via imported or shipped packages and goods…

If the Corona virus is spreading in China I’m not ordering from amazon for awhile….a lot of the stuff I get says made in China 😬#coronavirus #Amazon

— Luke Hetherington (@Lukejames9_RC) January 25, 2020

The World Health Organization has not restricted any form of trade to and from China, as no evidence supports the claims of the disease being spread via imported packages

This was the biggest mistake I have ever done in my life I didn’t ask for it but I ordered a phone case without knowing where is it from it was shipped from wuhan China ?I don’t want the corona in my house it’s too late. #coronavirus #CoronavirusWho #coronavirusmemes pic.twitter.com/pByKe2lJ45

— Pasta (@Pasta76939851) January 30, 2020

In the wake of the epidemic, tweeps are also sharing their take on the coronavirus outbreak and are advocating against eating animals

https://twitter.com/JustinB14776847/status/1222852713811083265

MAIN prevention tip: Regularly wash and sanitize your hands when in public places OR travelling.