The Spread of Misinformation Around Hantavirus
In recent weeks, a variety of false claims about hantavirus have circulated on social media platforms. These include conspiracy theories suggesting that the term “hantavirus” originates from Hebrew, as well as allegations that large pharmaceutical companies created the virus to boost vaccine profits. Such misinformation has sparked confusion and fear among the public.
The hantavirus outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius ship, which departed from Argentina on 1 April and arrived at Tenerife in the Canary Islands on 10 May. During the voyage, 11 individuals aboard the ship fell ill, with at least nine confirmed cases. Tragically, three passengers died, including a Dutch couple who are believed to have been exposed to the virus during their visit to South America.
Hantavirus is typically transmitted when humans come into contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. Infections can then be passed from person to person. Understanding the transmission methods is crucial for preventing further outbreaks.
Ivermectin and Its Role in Hantavirus Treatment
A significant amount of misinformation has also spread regarding the use of ivermectin as a treatment for hantavirus. Some social media users have claimed that this antiparasitic drug, which was previously falsely promoted as a cure for COVID-19, can effectively treat hantavirus. Notably, figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump loyalist and congresswoman known for spreading conspiracy theories, have shared such claims.
However, scientific evidence does not support the use of ivermectin as a treatment for hantavirus. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has stated that there is no evidence indicating that ivermectin is effective against hantaviruses. In fact, there are currently no authorized treatments—whether antivirals or vaccines—for hantavirus. Clinical management focuses on supportive care and early access to critical care facilities.
Moderna and the Development of a Hantavirus Vaccine
Another point of contention has been the involvement of US pharmaceutical company Moderna in developing a vaccine against hantaviruses. Some online users have questioned why Moderna has been working on a project related to hantavirus, suggesting it might be suspicious. One user claimed, “What is also weird is Moderna has been working on a Hantavirus for a year – as if they knew a virus was going to be rolled out.”
This has led to speculation that Moderna may have played a role in orchestrating the current outbreak, echoing similar conspiracy theories from the COVID-19 pandemic. A post on X mentioned that Moderna has been working on an mRNA hantavirus vaccine, referencing an article published in July 2024 about a collaboration between Moderna and a Korean university.
However, experts clarify that this is a routine part of public health responses. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security, explained that it is standard industry practice for pharmaceutical companies like Moderna to work on vaccines for pathogens like hantavirus, which have been around for decades. The research collaboration between Korea University’s Vaccine Innovation Center and Moderna is still in the preclinical stages, meaning human trials are not yet feasible.
The Origin of the Term “Hantavirus”
Some social media users have also asked Grok, X’s AI chatbot, to explain what the word “hanta” (or chantah) means in Hebrew. In some instances, posts asking “Hey @grok, what does ‘Hanta’ mean in Hebrew?” have gained millions of views. Grok initially claimed that “hanta” means “a scam, fraud, nonsense, lie, or something fake” in Hebrew but later corrected itself, stating that the word being referred to is actually “khartah” (or chartah, חרטה), which is derived from Arabic.
These claims have been used to support conspiracy theories that blame Israel for the outbreak or suggest that the virus is a hoax. One account even stated, “Draw your own conclusions whether claims that Hantavirus is a Zionist scam is Hantasemitism or not.”
Ultimately, the name of the hantavirus has no connection to these theories. Researchers explain that the term stems from an illness first observed among UN troops during the Korean War in the 1950s, known as “Korean hemorrhagic fever.” In the 1970s, scientists identified a virus living in field mice near a river, leading to the name “Hantaan virus.” As more related viruses were discovered, they were collectively referred to as “hantaviruses.”
