DISINFO: US military might have released the coronavirus to challenge China
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: ren.tv (archived)*
  • Date of publication: February 08, 2020
  • Outlet language(s): Russian
  • Reported in: Issue 186
  • Countries / regions discussed: China, US
Tags:
coronavirus Military Biological weapons

DISINFO: US military might have released the coronavirus to challenge China

SUMMARY

Experiments with the most dangerous viruses have been carried out in Wuhan’s Institute of Virology.

According to one version, someone has intentionally staged a provocation, releasing the virus into the natural environment. Experts suggest that the US military could have done so, in order to take revenge on the Chinese for building their own laboratory.

RESPONSE

No evidence given. A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative that the US military is behind the spread of the coronavirus.

The current coronavirus (2019-nCoV) comes from a family of viruses that include other viruses such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China and has been rapidly spreading with new cases being reported in the Asian-Pacific region as well as Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The World Health Organisation is working with Chinese authorities and global experts to learn more about the virus. There is no evidence to suggest it was developed or disseminated artificially. Read similar disinformation cases: the US prepares biological weapons, the US is constructing secret biological labs, the US is behind the spread of Coronavirus.

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Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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