Africa: Depression Isn't a Result of 'Highs' From Foods and Substances - Naturopath O'neill Wrong Again

IN SHORT: Depression is a complex condition with a wide variety of linked causes. The idea that the condition is caused by simple factors like consuming specific foods or… Read more »

Africa: No, Castor Oil Cannot Break Up Cancerous Breast Tumours - Controversial Naturopath Wrong Again

IN SHORT: Castor oil is an ingredient used in chemotherapy to make cancer drugs soluble. But experts agree there is no evidence suggesting castor oil has anti-cancer properties or… Read more »

Africa: Not Enough Evidence That Ginger Could Effectively Treat Gout - Speak to Your Doctor Instead

IN SHORT: Ginger has been widely studied for its potential health benefits, including for inflammatory conditions. There is some promising evidence, but not enough to conclude that… Read more »

South Africa: Still No Evidence for Ghost Stat About Schoolchildren's Access to Menstrual Products in South Africa

Menstrual products brand StayFree makes two big claims in its ads on social media, but there's very little research to back them up. Read more »

Tanzania: Can Pineapple Peel Juice Cure Bladder Cancer? Available Scientific Evidence Does Not Support Online Claims

IN SHORT: Cancer can be debilitating and expensive to treat, which is why claims on social media that the cure lies in a widely available fruit could easily gain traction. But they… Read more »

Africa: Can a Home Pregnancy Test Show Signs of Testicular Cancer in Men? Not All Cancers, Seek Professional Diagnosis

IN SHORT: A claim that a positive home pregnancy test in men could indicate signs of testicular cancer is true. However, it's important to be aware that a negative pregnancy test… Read more »

Africa: No, Molasses or Soursop With Baking Soda Won't Cure Stage Four Cancer

Cancer claims millions of lives across the world, according to the World Health Organization. But at stage four, these combinations of baking soda and molasses or soursop leaf… Read more »

Africa: No Evidence That COVID -19 Vaccines Trigger Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers have found no links between Covid-19 vaccines and multiple sclerosis. Misinformation and disinformation around Covid-19 and vaccines have been doing the rounds on… Read more »

Africa: 'Earthing' Not Yet All It's Cracked Up to Be - More Independent Research With Large Samples Needed On the Effects of Walking Barefoot and 'Grounding'

IN SHORT: Walking barefoot and "being in touch with Mother Nature" might have its benefits. But there is little scientific evidence that the concept of "earthing" can heal various… Read more »

Africa: No, This Herbal Recipe Won't 'Cleanse' the Uterus - Consult Doctors Instead

IN SHORT: A Facebook post claims its recommended recipe will "cleanse" the uterus. But experts say there is no evidence of this. Read more »

Africa: No, Infusion of Eggplant Leaves Can't 'Wash' Kidneys - See a Doctor Instead

IN SHORT: A Facebook post circulating in Nigeria claims that the leaves of the garden egg plant, or aubergine, can be used to "wash" the kidneys. Experts say this isn't true. Read more »

Africa: Dangerous Quackery - Why You Can't Cure Cancer By 'Detoxifying' the Body or Balancing Ph Levels

The internet generally and social media in particular is awash in quack cures for serious diseases. But there is little evidence for curing cancer through either detoxing or… Read more »

Africa: Is HIV/Aids Misinformation and Denialism On the Rise Again? How to Counter Persistent Myths

Well-worn untruths about HIV/Aids took a backseat during the Covid-19 pandemic. But vigilance against Aids denialism is important, particularly in Africa where access to accurate… Read more »

Africa: Factsheet - 'Back to the Basics' - Seven Questions About HIV and Aids Answered

The WHO has announced Covid-19 is no longer considered to be at the health agency's highest level of alert, and so the world can focus on other health challenges, such as managing… Read more »

South Africa: No Vampires Here - South Africans Don't Usually Pay for Blood Transfusions and Aren't Paid to Donate

IN SHORT: South Africans were understandably alarmed by rumours that they would have to pay over R3,000 per pint of blood if they needed a blood transfusion, even if they were… Read more »

Africa: No, Guardian Columnist George Monbiot Didn't Say He's Had COVID 23 Times - Fake Headline and Op-ED

An odd bit of Britain's anti-vax politics has spread around the world in a screenshot that seems to have journalist George Monbiot saying, among other things, that "billions of… Read more »

Africa: No, Guardian Columnist Monbiot Didn't Say He's Had COVID 23 Times - Fake Headline and Op-ED

An odd bit of Britain's antivax politics has spread around the world in a screenshot that seems to have journalist George Monbiot saying, among other things, that "billions of kids… Read more »

Africa: No, Leaves From Plantain Plant Not a Remedy for Venomous Snake Bites and Scorpion Stings

A Facebook post circulating in Nigeria claims that the leaves of the plantain plant can treat a venomous snake bite or scorpion sting. But antivenoms, administered by a healthcare… Read more »

Africa: No, Paracetamol Pills Stamped P-500 Do Not Contain Machupo Virus. Old Hoax Is Still False

IN SHORT: Paracetamol tablets stamped "P-500" do not contain Machupo virus. This claim continues to resurface on WhatsApp and Facebook in different countries, but there's no… Read more »

South Africa: Don't Fall for Unfounded Scare Claims About Measles Vaccination

An article by a prominent anti-vaccine campaigner in South Africa and widely circulated on social media makes many baseless claims. But even the hint of doubt could be enough to… Read more »

Africa: No Evidence Garlic-Infused Water Can Treat Yeast Infections - Seek Medical Advice

IN SHORT: Garlic is a common ingredient in home remedies, and has been shown to have some medicinal properties. But there is conflicting evidence and not enough research to say it… Read more »

Kenya: X-Ray Shows Cockroach in Patient's Chest? No, Old Hoax - the Original Image Has Been Online Since 2010

Viral social media posts claiming an X-ray shows a cockroach in the chest of a Kenyan patient are a version of an old hoax from 2012. Read more »

Kenya: No, Kenya's Citizen TV Didn't Report That Governor of Kisumu County Anyang' Nyong'o Revealed His HIV Status

IN SHORT: A short-lived decision by Twitter to remove verification badges left many media organisations vulnerable to impersonation, before the policy was partly reversed. One of… Read more »

Africa: No, Pfizer Didn't Admit It Lied About Testing Efficacy of COVIS Vaccine

A claim that pharmaceutical company Pfizer has admitted to lying about testing the effectiveness of its Covid vaccine is still circulating on social media in South Africa. But this… Read more »

Africa: No, Pandemic Treaty Still a Rough Draft, Doesn't Give World Health Organization 'Control Over Entire World'

The World Health Organization's voluntary pandemic treaty lays out ways countries could cooperate to prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemics. It doesn't hand all power… Read more »