Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?

<span>Ivermectin</span>, an antiparasitic medication, which gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, is back in the spotlight again — this time in connection with the ongoing <span>hantavirus outbreak</span> linked to the MV Hondius.

According to the latest update from the World Health Organization (<span>WHO</span>), nine <span>hantavirus</span> cases have been confirmed so far, including three deaths.

Health authorities have also confirmed that the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission.

While global health agencies, including the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), continue to maintain that the overall public health risk remains low, memories of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption it caused remain fresh. As a result, fear, speculation, and misinformation are once again spreading rapidly online.

"Hantavirus is an RNA virus, and ivermectin should work against it," claims a May 6, 2026, post on X from Mary Talley Bowden, an ear, nose, and throat doctor suspended in 2021 by Houston Methodist Hospital for spreading Covid-19 misinformation.

"I actually texted her today and asked what we can treat hantavirus with. I'm so glad she posted it," former Texas representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X as she amplified Bowden's assertions about ivermectin.

<strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>spoke to experts to understand the truth behind these claims, and they dismissed the misinformation surrounding them stat.

Dr Jatin Ahuja, Consultant, Infectious Disease, Apollo Delhi, noted that, "there is currently no strong scientific evidence or official guideline supporting ivermectin as a proven treatment for hantavirus in humans".

He advised people to avoid self-medication or depending on unverified online claims and to consult a doctor at the earliest if they experience any symptoms.

Dr Rajiva Gupta, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, added that ivermectin is not approved for the treatment of hantavirus infection by major global regulatory and public health agencies, including the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the US Food and Drug Administration.

"Current claims linking ivermectin to hantavirus treatment appear largely unverified and are being circulated primarily through <span>social media</span> platforms," he told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

<h2>What Ivermectin Is Actually Approved For?</h2>

Ivermectin is a well-established medication that is highly effective against parasites. It was developed to treat topical parasitic infections and has been widely used for conditions like river blindness and scabies.

The drug's significance in treating these diseases was so profound that researchers who studied it won the Nobel Prize in 2015.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ivermectin tablets for treating specific parasitic infections in humans. It is also available as a lotion to treat lice and as a cream for rosacea. Additionally, veterinarians also use it to prevent and treat parasitic diseases in animals.

Previously, ivermectin also gained popularity as a cancer cure, although there is no scientific evidence for it.

To understand the treatment for hantavirus, let us first look at<strong> how the rat-borne virus affects the body.</strong>

"Once hantavirus enters the body, it mainly affects the lungs and small blood vessels," Dr Jatin told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

In some patients, the infection can cause fluid build-up in the lungs, which may lead to breathing problems and low oxygen levels.

Further, the severity of symptoms also can vary from person to person and may depend on factors such as the amount of virus a person was exposed to, the body’s immune response, and how early treatment is started.

Like many viral infections, a higher viral load may sometimes be linked to more severe illness, although every patient can respond differently, the experts said.

<h2>Hantavirus: The Early Viral-like Symptoms</h2>

One challenge with hantavirus is that the early symptoms are quite non-specific and may resemble several common viral or respiratory infections.

Fever, body ache, fatigue, headache, nausea, and cough are commonly reported in the initial stage. In a few cases, symptoms may progress to breathing difficulty and lung-related complications, which require timely medical care.

<h2>So, How Can Hantavirus Be Treated?</h2>

Currently, treatments focus on medical care support and managing complications at the earliest stage possible.

"Patients may require oxygen support, hydration, monitoring, and intensive care depending on the severity of the illness. Early recognition and prompt medical attention remain important for better outcomes," Dr Jatin said.

Dr Rajiva noted that approved management for hantavirus infection remains primarily supportive, focused on respiratory and hemodynamic (circulatory) support. Among the therapies explored so far, ribavirin and monoclonal antibodies have shown some potential in experimental settings and animal models, but these are still under investigation and are not widely approved as standard treatment options.

<h2>How Can You Safeguard Against Hantavirus?</h2>

Since there is no direct cure for hantavirus infection, prevention becomes extremely important. Key precautions include:<ul><li>Avoid direct contact with rodents such as rats and mice</li><li>Maintain cleanliness in areas vulnerable to rodent infestation</li><li>Use gloves and masks while cleaning closed or dusty spaces</li><li>Avoid dry sweeping, as it can spread contaminated particles into the air</li><li>Keep food properly covered and dispose of waste carefully</li><li>Ventilate closed rooms or storage areas before cleaning them.</li></ul>

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Ivermectin, an antiparasitic medication, which gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, is back in the spotlight again — this time in connection with the ongoing hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius.According to the latest update from the World Health Organization (WHO), nine hantavirus cases have been confirmed so far, including three deaths.Health authorities have also confirmed that the outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only known hantavirus strain capable of human-to-human transmission.While global health agencies, including the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), continue to maintain that the overall public health risk remains low, memories of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption it caused remain fresh. As a result, fear, speculation, and misinformation are once again spreading rapidly online."Hantavirus is an RNA virus, and ivermectin should work against it," claims a May 6, 2026, post on X from Mary Talley Bowden, an ear, nose, and throat doctor suspended in 2021 by Houston Methodist Hospital for spreading Covid-19 misinformation."I actually texted her today and asked what we can treat hantavirus with. I'm so glad she posted it," former Texas representative Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X as she amplified Bowden's assertions about ivermectin.HealthandMe spoke to experts to understand the truth behind these claims, and they dismissed the misinformation surrounding them stat.Dr Jatin Ahuja, Consultant, Infectious Disease, Apollo Delhi, noted that, "there is currently no strong scientific evidence or official guideline supporting ivermectin as a proven treatment for hantavirus in humans".He advised people to avoid self-medication or depending on unverified online claims and to consult a doctor at the earliest if they experience any symptoms.Dr Rajiva Gupta, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, added that ivermectin is not approved for the treatment of hantavirus infection by major global regulatory and public health agencies, including the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the US Food and Drug Administration."Current claims linking ivermectin to hantavirus treatment appear largely unverified and are being circulated primarily through social media platforms," he told HealthandMe.What Ivermectin Is Actually Approved For?Ivermectin is a well-established medication that is highly effective against parasites. It was developed to treat topical parasitic infections and has been widely used for conditions like river blindness and scabies.The drug's significance in treating these diseases was so profound that researchers who studied it won the Nobel Prize in 2015.The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ivermectin tablets for treating specific parasitic infections in humans. It is also available as a lotion to treat lice and as a cream for rosacea. Additionally, veterinarians also use it to prevent and treat parasitic diseases in animals.Previously, ivermectin also gained popularity as a cancer cure, although there is no scientific evidence for it.To understand the treatment for hantavirus, let us first look at how the rat-borne virus affects the body."Once hantavirus enters the body, it mainly affects the lungs and small blood vessels," Dr Jatin told HealthandMe.In some patients, the infection can cause fluid build-up in the lungs, which may lead to breathing problems and low oxygen levels.Further, the severity of symptoms also can vary from person to person and may depend on factors such as the amount of virus a person was exposed to, the body’s immune response, and how early treatment is started.Like many viral infections, a higher viral load may sometimes be linked to more severe illness, although every patient can respond differently, the experts said.Hantavirus: The Early Viral-like SymptomsOne challenge with hantavirus is that the early symptoms are quite non-specific and may resemble several common viral or respiratory infections.Fever, body ache, fatigue, headache, nausea, and cough are commonly reported in the initial stage. In a few cases, symptoms may progress to breathing difficulty and lung-related complications, which require timely medical care.So, How Can Hantavirus Be Treated?Currently, treatments focus on medical care support and managing complications at the earliest stage possible."Patients may require oxygen support, hydration, monitoring, and intensive care depending on the severity of the illness. Early recognition and prompt medical attention remain important for better outcomes," Dr Jatin said.Dr Rajiva noted that approved management for hantavirus infection remains primarily supportive, focused on respiratory and hemodynamic (circulatory) support. Among the therapies explored so far, ribavirin and monoclonal antibodies have shown some potential in experimental settings and animal models, but these are still under investigation and are not widely approved as standard treatment options.How Can You Safeguard Against Hantavirus?Since there is no direct cure for hantavirus infection, prevention becomes extremely important. Key precautions include:Avoid direct contact with rodents such as rats and miceMaintain cleanliness in areas vulnerable to rodent infestationUse gloves and masks while cleaning closed or dusty spacesAvoid dry sweeping, as it can spread contaminated particles into the airKeep food properly covered and dispose of waste carefullyVentilate closed rooms or storage areas before cleaning them.