Hantavirus outbreak reignites COVID misinformation tropes
The MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak triggered a wave of conspiracy theories and misinformation about ivermectin and vaccines, which were popular during the pandemic.
Latest in
Health
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UnsupportedDoctor misleads with post claiming ivermectin works against hantavirus
Claim:
Ivermectin “should work” against hantavirus because it blocks “RNA viruses from entering the nucleus [and] inhibits viral replication”
Source: X/Twitter, Mary Talley Bowden, 2026-05-07 -
Omega-3 supplements: not a silver bullet for depression
Health influencers suggest omega-3 supplementation can treat depression or even replace antidepressant medication. But such claims put vulnerable people at risk. In truth, the scientific evidence behind the effectiveness of omega-3 supplementation for depression is more uncertain than these social media posts let on. We explain in this Insight article.
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You are what you eat: how dietary misinfo appeals to our emotions
Harmful nutrition misinformation circulates widely online. From the raw food movement to the carnivore diet, we look at how these trends exploit various psychological levers to gain popularity in spite of the lack of scientific evidence to support them.
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InaccurateGerman placenta study didn’t show COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are harmful
Claim:
Vaccine-derived spike protein is harmful, its presence in placenta linked to rise in infant mortality
Source: X/Twitter, The Focal Points, Nicolas Hulscher, 2026-03-08 -
Scientific evidence doesn’t back the hype over colostrum supplements
Influencers tout the benefits of colostrum supplements for immunity and gut health. But the claims don’t stand up to scientific scrutiny.
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Beware of AI-generated doctors giving health advice on social media: investigating the phenomenon on TikTok
Deepfakes of real doctors on TikTok spread health misinformation, attracting millions of views. Our findings suggest that such content can be valuable for engagement farming and monetization.
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UnsupportedKeto diet isn’t cure for schizophrenia, contrary to US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claim
Claim:
Schizophrenia can be cured with the keto diet
Source: Twitter/X, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 2026-02-04 -
IncorrectHealth influencer Paul Saladino incorrectly attributes acne to autoimmunity
Claim:
Acne is an autoimmune condition; removing vegetables from your diet can treat autoimmunity
Source: Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, Paul Saladino, 2026-01-24 -
Busting popular misinformation about Alzheimer’s disease
Do cholesterol-lowering drugs or stress cause Alzheimer’s? Can coconut oil and mushrooms prevent it? Approach these claims with caution.
