In the wake of any major crisis, there's always a crop of charlatans ready to peddle their wares. The latest example is the push to use ivermectin, a drug once hailed as a miracle cure-all, to treat hantavirus. This comes on the heels of ivermectin's failed attempts to cure COVID-19, despite the persistent claims of its proponents.
Ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, has been a staple in medicine for decades. Some early studies suggested it might also be effective against certain viruses, including the one causing COVID-19. This led to its testing as a potential treatment during the pandemic. However, higher-quality studies failed to find any benefits, and positive studies were often marred by methodological flaws or fraud.
Despite these setbacks, a vocal minority, often right-wing and vaccine skeptics, continues to push ivermectin as a panacea. They downplay the pandemic's dangers and criticize public health responses, including vaccine mandates. This group has even influenced legislation, with GOP lawmakers in some states passing laws or drafting bills to make ivermectin over-the-counter, citing unsubstantiated claims of its efficacy.
The latest crankery comes from Mary Talley Bowden, a Texas-based doctor who claims ivermectin should work against hantavirus because it's an RNA virus. Bowden is no stranger to controversy, having opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates and promoted ivermectin for COVID-19. She's also argued that COVID-19 vaccines are unsafe and could cause cancer, a common talking point among anti-vaccination advocates.
Bowden's hospital privileges were suspended for spreading COVID-related misinformation, and she faced reprimands from the Texas Medical Board for attempting to treat patients with ivermectin without proper privileges. Despite these setbacks, she continues to push ivermectin, even offering it for sale on social media for as low as $85 for a 100-pack, despite the lack of evidence supporting its efficacy against hantavirus.
The hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship is concerning, but the risk to the general public is minimal. The particular species behind this outbreak can spread between people, but not easily. Bowden's push to use ivermectin as a treatment is not only misguided but also potentially dangerous, as it could lead people to waste money on a placebo at best.
In conclusion, while the hantavirus outbreak is a serious issue, the push to use ivermectin as a treatment is a dangerous and misguided attempt to capitalize on a crisis. It highlights the need for critical thinking and evidence-based medicine in the face of misinformation and quackery.
