Taryn Khourie

Data & project researcher

@tarynwillows97

Latest fact-checks

false

South Africa

varicose veins

cure

No, you can’t ‘eliminate’ varicose veins – there is no cure for the condition

Several Facebook posts claim that rosemary and laurel can be used to “eliminate” varicose veins. “Incredible! Eliminate Varicose Veins with Rosemary and Laurel! Treasure Every Home Should Have,” the posts read. Varicose veins are swollen veins that lie just under the skin. They m...

No, solar eclipse on 8 April won’t cause darkness for 3 days - ignore fearmongering

Videos doing the rounds on Facebook in South Africa claim that an upcoming solar eclipse is going to cause three days of darkness. “April 2024 Solar Eclipse- It's the End of the World as We Know It! The Reality of 3 days of Darkness,” one caption reads. “3 DAYS OF DARKNESS SOON,” reads an...

SCAM ALERT: South Africa’s power utility Eskom advises customers not to buy prepaid electricity through unverified WhatsApp number

A message sent to Africa Check by our WhatsApp subscribers claims to offer prepaid electricity through the messaging app. The message includes a photo of a prepaid electricity meter. “Prepaid electricity available for both Eskom and municipality,” the message begins, offering packages of unit...

Africa Cancer Foundation

free

medical treatment

No, the Africa Cancer Foundation is not offering free breast cancer treatment in 2024

A message sent to us by subscribers on WhatsApp claims that women can get free medical treatment for breast cancer, simply by sending an email to the address in the message. “Please If you know of any lady battling BREAST CANCER of whatever stage please advise her to contact Dorothy@africacance...

Latest facts

Sex & gender

What proportion of trafficked persons in Nigeria are women?

Source

US Department of State: 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report - Nigeria

Short answer

What proportion of trafficked persons in Nigeria are women?

In 2023, the Nigerian government identified 1,634 victims of trafficking, including 841 victims of sex trafficking, 543 victims of labour trafficking and 250 victims of unspecified forms of trafficking. Of the 841 sex trafficking victims, 763 were women. Of the 543 victims of labour trafficking, 290...

Back Full answer

Health

How many cases of malaria are recorded in Zimbabwe each year?

Source

WHO: Country Disease Outlook ᠆ Zimbabwe

Short answer

How many cases of malaria are recorded in Zimbabwe each year?

The annual number of reported malaria cases in 2021 was 342,543 (at an incidence rate of 21.4 cases per 1000 people), resulting in 876 deaths. Zimbabwe’s malaria incidence rate has fluctuated, but has generally declined since 2015. ...

Back Full answer

Health

How many malaria deaths are recorded in Zimbabwe in a year?

Source

WHO: Country Disease Outlook ᠆ Zimbabwe

Short answer

How many malaria deaths are recorded in Zimbabwe in a year?

The annual number of reported malaria deaths in 2021 was in 876. ...

Back Full answer

Health

How many new HIV infections occur in Zimbabwe each year?

Source

UNDP Zimbabwe: Overview of The HIV Epidemic in Zimbabwe

Short answer

How many new HIV infections occur in Zimbabwe each year?

In Zimbabwe, the number of people becoming infected with HIV each year has fallen by more than half over the past decade. In 2022, about 0.17% of adults in Zimbabwe were infected with HIV, and the number of new cases fell in all age groups. Among adults, the number of new HIV cases fell by 7%, and a...

Back Full answer

Taryn Khourie

Latest fact-checks

Latest facts

What proportion of trafficked persons in Nigeria are women?

How many cases of malaria are recorded in Zimbabwe each year?

How many malaria deaths are recorded in Zimbabwe in a year?

How many new HIV infections occur in Zimbabwe each year?

Meet our team

For reading our fact-checks!