Unproven 'cures' pushed online amid plague concerns
WASHINGTON: Reports that a woman employed at a plague research institute in Russia’s Irkutsk region had died of the disease have spiked online interest in possible treatments for the illness in North America.
Reports of a woman at a Russian plague research facility dying from the disease have generated online interest in potential treatments. Russia has not confirmed her death, and officials say no health issues arose after tracing her contacts. Influencers and doomsday preppers are promoting a US$300 kit on social media, claiming it can prevent emergency room visits.
The Wellness Company, featured in the videos, experienced a surge in online searches. The kit contains the antibiotic doxycycline, used to treat plague in countries with annual cases. Health experts warn against taking antibiotics without exposure, as it can disrupt the gut microbiome and create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Ivermectin, mentioned in the kit, is not typically used for bacterial diseases and is only approved for parasitic infections in the US.
This phenomenon is not new; similar situations occurred with hantavirus, Ebola, and other health crises, where unproven remedies are promoted during periods of fear and uncertainty.
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