Alerts
The alerts on these pages are based on the monitoring of publicly available data. While some alerts reference false claims, others are included to indicate gaps in knowledge, concerns, speculation, and other trending narratives. Inclusion in reporting is based on reach and velocity of spread and on whether conversations may impact health behaviors and decisions.
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Uncertainty around cyclosporiasis outbreaks drives speculation and anxiety
High Impact
National discussion about cyclosporiasis continues to grow as investigations remain ongoing and no common source has been confirmed. While some…
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Study finds COVID-19 vaccines reduce heart attack and stroke risk, sparking debate
Medium Impact
A June 15 study of over 1 million veterans found that the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine reduced the risk of COVID-19-related…
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Posts debate new study finding that HPV vaccines reduce cervical cancer deaths
Low Impact
A June 17 Lancet study found that U.K. girls who received the HPV vaccine at ages 12 to 13 had…
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Mental health and disability advocates decry Justice Department’s opinion on Americans with Disabilities Act
Medium Impact
In a June 18 legal opinion, the Department of Justice wrote that states are not required to provide community-based or…
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Director of National Intelligence allegations against Fauci reignite COVID-19 origin and vaccine debates
Medium Impact
Online discussions surged after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released declassified documents alleging that former National Institute of Allergy…
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Retracted SIDS study ignites anti-vaccine debate online
Medium Impact
In April, a 2021 study linking childhood vaccines to sudden infant death syndrome was removed by the publishing journal due…
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Growing screwworm outbreak in animals fuels concern and conspiracy theories
Low Impact
On June 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that New World screwworm was detected in a calf in…
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Evidence-based maternal vaccine guidance diverges from the CDC, sparking controversy
Medium Impact
On June 10, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released its first maternal vaccination schedule. The organization, which has…
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Debate emerges over executive order targeting the childhood vaccine schedule
Medium Impact
Online discussions about childhood vaccines increased after President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to review the U.S.…
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Online posts share stories of potential mental health effects of weight loss drugs
Medium Impact
Two Washington Post articles sparked an online debate about the potential mental health effects of GLP-1 weight loss medications. A…
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Concern grows over expanding tick populations, alpha-gal, and a Lyme disease vaccine
Medium Impact
Online conversations about tick-borne illnesses surged after the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to address expanding tick…
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Lawmaker promotes false COVID-19 vaccine safety claims, contradicting FDA data
Low Impact
A U.S. senator’s May 11 letter revealed that a December FDA analysis found no children’s deaths were definitively linked to…
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EPA rollback of drinking water restrictions on forever chemicals draws criticism
High Impact
On May 18, the Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to “rescind and restart” restrictions on PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in…
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Online posts express post-pandemic “fatigue” over reports of viral outbreaks
Medium Impact
On May 17, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and…
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Hantavirus cruise outbreak sets off wave of online conspiracy theories
Medium Impact
In early April, several passengers on a cruise ship became sick with hantavirus, which can cause severe illness and death.…
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Experts and online posts express concern over the health secretary’s SSRI comments
High Impact
At a May 4 Make America Healthy Again summit, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined plans to “curb psychiatric…