Last Updated on November 30, 2021 by Team THIP
NOTE: This is an updated Fact Check on an earlier published story on the same topic – Dettol can kill Coronavirus. The new research findings required us to update the story.
Quick Take
Several Facebook posts and WhatsApp messages claimed at the start of the pandemic that Dettol can kill Coronavirus. THIP Media and most Fact Checking platforms had flagged off the claim on the basis of non-availability of evidence. However, in recent testing Dettol has been proved to be effective against novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the virus causing COVID-19
Fact Check
Can Dettol kill 2019 Novel Coronavirus that is causing COVID-19?
Yes. The company has confirmed that Dettol is effective against Novel Coronavirus that is causing COVID-19. This has been confirmed by the company in an official tweet. The complete list of Dettol products proven effective against nCOV-19 is released by the company.
NOTE: The use of Dettol to kill Coronavirus is strictly as a surface disinfectant. Drinking Dettol to kill Coronavirus inside your body is a dangerous thought. Drinking Dettol can be seriously harmful to health.
Incidentally, the company had earlier clarified about the viral message when the test results were not out.
Further still, the American Journal of Infection Control (2020) has confirmed that various components in Dettol and Lysol are effective against the Coronavirus causing COVID-19.
Why do most websites and fact checking organization claim this to be False?
The COVID-19 pandemic situation is a fast evolving situation. Researchers are constantly working to find new ways to tackle the virus.
Most Fact Check stories regarding “Dettol can kill Coronavirus” has been fact checked in early 2020 when the pandemic had just set in and Dettol had not been tested against the latest virus.
It is recommended to check the date of every fact check story when you read them.
NOTE: THIP Media had earlier Fact Checked on this issue (published here). This story is an update to that earlier fact check.
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