Ministry of Health spokesman Dr. Thar Tun Kyaw told Mizzima that neem leaves were not scientifically accepted as a prevention for COVID-19 virus.

A video saying eating neem leaves could cure COVID-19 virus went viral on social media recently.

After hearing this video some people ate neem leaves by boiling them or dipping them in fish paste.

Regarding this, Dr. Thar Tun Kyaw said, “Coronavirus or COVID-19 virus is a novel virus. The scientists and virologists around the world are still learning the facts. So, I’d like to say eating neem leaves is not a scientifically approved and accepted fact.”

Because some people belief neem leaves can cure the infection, they are being sold in markets at 500 kyats per bunch.