The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning advising the public not to use Ivermectin as a treatment for hantavirus, following a wave of online claims promoting the anti-parasitic drug as a possible cure amid growing concern over a recent outbreak.
The warning comes after heightened public attention surrounding hantavirus cases linked to the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius, where multiple infections and several deaths have triggered global concern.
Health officials have emphasized that there is currently no scientific evidence supporting ivermectin as an effective treatment for hantavirus, despite renewed online campaigns suggesting otherwise.
According to WHO, discussions circulating on social media have pushed the narrative that ivermectin could work against hantavirus because the disease is caused by an RNA virus. However, the organization made it clear that no research currently demonstrates the drug’s effectiveness against the virus.
WHO stated that while it is aware of these online discussions, available scientific data does not support the use of ivermectin in treating hantavirus infections.
The misinformation campaign has been partly fueled by comments from Mary Talley Bowden, a U.S.-based ear, nose, and throat physician who has previously attracted controversy over misinformation claims related to COVID-19.
Bowden reportedly promoted ivermectin online as a possible solution for hantavirus and later announced plans to sell the drug in Texas without requiring prescriptions.
Her claims have since spread widely across social media platforms, reviving debates that were prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ivermectin became a focal point of global misinformation campaigns.
Although ivermectin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating certain parasitic infections and worm-related diseases, the agency has not authorized the drug for treating or preventing COVID-19 or hantavirus.
Medical experts have repeatedly noted that multiple clinical trials have failed to prove ivermectin’s effectiveness for treating viral infections in humans.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents, including contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.
The recent outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has intensified concern after three deaths were linked to the incident.
Among the victims were a Dutch couple believed to have contracted the virus after travelling across parts of South America before boarding the ship in Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1.
As public anxiety grows, health authorities are urging individuals to rely on verified medical guidance and avoid self-medicating with unapproved treatments promoted online.
The WHO’s latest warning highlights the ongoing challenge health agencies face in combating medical misinformation, particularly during disease outbreaks when fear, uncertainty, and misinformation can spread as quickly as the virus itself.
Experts continue to recommend that anyone experiencing symptoms or seeking treatment information consult qualified healthcare professionals and follow guidance from trusted public health institutions.
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