A hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, is stirring up conspiracy theories that previously dominated discussions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the World Health Organization confirming minimal risk to the public, misinformation has surged online, echoing previous falsehoods surrounding vaccines and alleged depopulation agendas.
InfoWars founder Alex Jones tweeted, "LOCKDOWN ALERT: Globalists Launch Covid 2.0 As Hantavirus Spreads Worldwide," linking the current situation to past conspiracy narratives.
The outbreak is believed to have started when a passenger contracted the virus in Argentina before boarding the ship, leading to additional infections among other travelers.
An analysis by AFP highlighted a wave of claims that suggested a deliberate plot to enforce vaccinations or manipulate election outcomes, particularly in the U.S.
"The almost-immediate resurrection of Covid-19 era conspiracy theories is a reminder that misinformation doesn't simply disappear once the crisis that yielded them is over," said Yotam Ophir, a researcher at the University at Buffalo.
Ophir noted that misinformation from the previous pandemic has intertwined with political identities, making it easier for existing beliefs to resurface.
Some online claims falsely suggest that the hantavirus is a side effect of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, misinterpreting official documents.
According to Ophir, these conspiracy theories often have deep roots, linked to historical fears of elites manufacturing diseases.
The hantavirus, typically transmitted by infected rodents, has no approved vaccines or known cures, yet some politicians and anti-establishment figures are promoting unproven treatments.
Former US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene labeled the virus a "bioweapon" while promoting ivermectin, despite experts stating it is ineffective against infections.
John Lednicky, a virologist, emphasized that ivermectin lacks evidence of efficacy outside laboratory settings.
Ophir suggested that the resurgence of these conspiracy theories may be politically motivated or financially driven, as misinformation spreads rapidly online.