(CNN) Covid-19 rumors, stigma and conspiracy theories have been circulating in 25 different languages across at least 87 countries -- including the United States -- and this spread of misinformation has led to deaths and injuries, according to a new study. JUST WATCHED These young medics are fighting Covid-19 misinformation in 30 languages Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH These young medics are fighting Covid-19 misinformation in 30 languages 02:27The study, published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on Monday, involved analyzing coronavirus-related rumors, stigma and conspiracy theories that were posted to social media platforms, online newspapers and other websites between December 31 and April 5. The researchers -- from various institutions in Bangladesh, Australia, Thailand and Japan -- defined a "rumor" as any unverified information that can be found to be true, fabricated, or entirely false after verification. "Stigma" related to discrimination or devaluation of a group and "conspiracy theory" was defined as beliefs about an individual or group of people working in secret to reaching malicious goals. The researchers identified 2,311 reports related to possible Covid-19 misinformation in 25 languages from 87 countries -- and of those reports, 89% were classified as rumors; 7.8% were conspiracy theories; and 3.5% were stigma.

Source: CNN August 11, 2020 00:56 UTC