New Delhi, March 16 (IANS): Amid the coronavirus spreading in India, many fake messages are doing the rounds on various social media platforms.

The PIB on Monday rebutted one such viral message, terming it as fake.

PIB Fact Check, the official Twitter handle of the Press Information Bureau department that counters misinformation on government policies, said that the message was misleading as "drinking and gargling with warm water mixed with vinegar and salt cannot help ward off coronavirus."

The fake viral message had claimed that before reaching the lungs of humans, the coronavirus remains in the throat for four days, leading to cough and throat pain in an affected person. "Drinking lots of water and gargle with warm water with vinegar or salt might eliminate the virus." the message also said, asking the recipients to spread the information.

"This is fake news circulating on social media and WhatsApp," PIB Fact Check said advising people to refer to the Health Ministry's website to obtain correct and authentic information.