Cape Town - Anxious Tunisians are flocking to herbalists and stocking up on traditional remedies as Covid-19 outbreak wreaks havoc international news agency Agence France-Presse reported.
It said in the heart of the capital Tunis, residents were visiting the Souk el-Blat and its herbalist stalls filled with flasks, powders and dried herbs.
Local and imported herbal medicines are traditionally valued for warding off winter flu, which shares some symptoms with the new coronavirus, AFP reported.
It said fear of contagion had seen a rush on garlic, sending its price soaring.
Tunisia has reported 27 Covid-19 cases since March 2. While no deaths have been reported, authorities have taken tough measures to halt the spread of the disease, AFP said.
According to the World Health Organisation, to date there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat Covid-19.
It however says those infected should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms.
Specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials, says WHO, which is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range of partners.