WHO warns against untested coronavirus cures

The World Health Organization has urged people not to put their faith in local untested remedies for coronavirus.

The advice came at a time when at least three African heads of state said they were importing large quantities of a herbal tonic which the president of Madagascar claims can cure the virus.

But its efficacy has not been proven by scientific peer reviews, and even Madagascar’s own national medical academy has cast doubt on it.

In a statement, the WHO said it welcomes the use of traditional medicines in the search for potential treatments but it warns that they must first be robustly tested.

Madagascar’s president Andry Rajoelina launched a product based on the Artemisia plant last month when it had been tested on about 20 people.

He said clinical trials will start next week.