The Tipperary County Board have warned against the amplifying of fake stories regarding the coronavirus.
A fabricated Whatsapp message relating to the Tipp hurling panel had made the rounds over the weekend, claiming to have been penned by manager Liam Sheedy.
The message in question went so far as to name a member of the panel.
Tipperary's panel were in Spain for a warm weather training camp last week, and entered precautionary isolation upon their return, but have shown no signs or symptoms of the coronavirus.
The County Board has vehemently denied the message's contents and asked for the public to stop its spread.
In a statement, they wrote:
"Unfortunately, at this time of crisis, some unknown individual or individuals has issued a false message doing the rounds on social media purporting to be from the Tipperary SH manager.
"This is wholly inaccurate fake news and is causing unnecessary concern to all parties. I appeal if you have received it, to delete immediately and not to forward.
"The fight against Covid-19 must continue. Messages like this and others on social media are certainly not helping that cause.
"Be safe everyone and please do not spread any fake news, whatever its content. Together and united we will prevail."
In the early days of the crisis, a number of Whatsapp messages and Facebook posts have caused alarm with their contents.
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has also warned against such messages, tweeting to say, "I am urging everyone to please stop sharing unverified info on What's app groups.
"These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources."
I am urging everyone to please stop sharing unverified info on What's app groups. These messages are scaring and confusing people and causing real damage. Please get your info from official, trusted sources. Follow @HSELive @hpscireland @WHO @merrionstreet @dfatravelwise
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 16, 2020
The HSE, WHO, HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the Department of Foreign Affairs are among those to consult on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Your "friend on Facebook" or a Whatsapp message from someone with inexplicably close connections to the Irish Army probably shouldn't be trusted.
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