WHO launches global health alert for coronavirus on WhatsApp

The deadly coronavirus that started from seafood market in Whuan, China, has now claimed at least 15,408 lives around the world. To increase access to reliable information, World Health Organization (WHO) worked with WhatsApp and Facebook to launch a new WHO Health Alert messaging service today. The WhatsApp-based service will provide vital information about COVID-19 to millions of people through their mobile phones.

The services uses an AI chatbot to provide updated information on the pandemic, including how to protect yourself, questions and answers, and the latest news and press coverage. The Health Alert service is now available in English and will be introduced in other languages next week. This is part of WHO’s wider initiative to work with technology companies to get accurate health information into the hands of people that need it at this critical time.

On Friday, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director General of the World Health Organization, said in a post on Twitter: “I am proud to announce that today we launched a new @WHO Health Alert messaging service via @WhatsApp . This service will provide the latest news & information on #COVID19, including details on symptoms and how to protect yourself. To subscribe, click here http://bit.ly/who-covid19-whatsapp”

I am proud to announce that today we launched a new @WHO Health Alert messaging service via @WhatsApp. This service will provide the latest news & information on #COVID19, including details on symptoms and how to protect yourself. To subscribe, click here https://t.co/mUvOWlGfqC

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 20, 2020

WhatsApp is a popular cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc. The app allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media.