✗ MisinformationHealth MisinformationSpreading fast
There is no hantavirus outbreak in Memphis, Tennessee.
The claim: "A viral TikTok video claims that there is an active outbreak of hantavirus in Memphis, Tennessee, with multiple hospitalizations."
It is understandable that news of a health crisis can cause worry, but I want to be clear: there is no active outbreak of hantavirus in Memphis, Tennessee. This claim appears to be a local distortion of a real, separate event. In May 2026, health authorities, including the World Health Organization, monitored an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to a cruise ship in the South Atlantic. That situation involved a specific cluster of passengers and crew, not a community-wide outbreak in the United States. The Shelby County Health Department in Tennessee has confirmed that hantavirus cases are extremely rare in the state, with only two historical cases recorded, both occurring years ago in eastern Tennessee. The viral videos circulating on social media often rely on out-of-context footage—sometimes recycled from unrelated protests or older medical clips—to create a false sense of urgency. Please rely on your local health department or official CDC updates rather than unverified social media posts, which often repurpose old conspiracy theories to stir up unnecessary fear during times of public concern.
✗ MisinformationMisinformationSpreading fast
Viral video claiming 'civil war' in Lucknow actually depicts a slum fire
The claim: "A video circulating on social media shows a 'civil war-like situation' and an 'attack' occurring in Lucknow, India."
The claim that a 'civil war-like situation' or an 'attack' is occurring in Lucknow, India, is entirely false. The viral video circulating on social media, which has been used to propagate this narrative, does not show civil unrest or violence. Instead, the footage captures a devastating fire that broke out in a slum settlement near Ring Road in the Vikas Nagar area of Lucknow in April 2026. Reports from credible news outlets and fact-checking organizations, including the CyberPeace Research Wing, have confirmed that the video was taken out of context to spread fear and misinformation. The incident involved a large blaze that destroyed hundreds of shanties, but it was a tragic accident rather than a political or military attack. The distortion appears to have been fueled by social media accounts seeking to manufacture a false narrative of instability in India. It is important to be wary of sensationalist claims that use unrelated or mislabeled footage to incite panic or push political agendas.
✓ Verified FactFabricated QuoteSpreading fast
Rep. Ilhan Omar misread Roman numeral 'II' as 'eleven' during 2025 press conference
The claim: "Rep. Ilhan Omar referred to World War II as 'World War 11' during a speech about the Alien Enemies Act."
The claim that Representative Ilhan Omar referred to World War II as 'World War Eleven' is a verified fact, though it is important to understand the context of the error. The incident occurred during a January 22, 2025, press conference where Omar was speaking about the Neighbors Not Enemies Act. While reading from prepared remarks regarding the historical use of the Alien Enemies Act, she encountered the Roman numeral 'II' and audibly misread it as the number 'eleven.' This is a common type of verbal slip, often referred to as a 'flub' or a misreading of notes, rather than a misunderstanding of historical facts. While the clip has been widely circulated and used by critics to mock her, the consensus among reporting is that it was a simple, albeit public, reading error. There is no evidence to suggest she believes there have been eleven world wars; rather, it was a momentary lapse in speech while navigating technical legislative language.
✗ MisinformationPolitical MisinformationSpreading fast
Claims that Senator Risa Hontiveros made secret 2025 budget insertions are false.
The claim: "Sen. Risa Hontiveros had secret 'bicam insertions' for 2025 flood control and infrastructure projects."
The viral claim that Senator Risa Hontiveros secured secret 'bicam insertions' for 2025 flood control and infrastructure projects is false. This narrative originated from social media posts and commentary, most notably by radio host Anthony Taberna, which alleged she inserted billions into the 2025 General Appropriations Act. However, official legislative records and public statements confirm that Senator Hontiveros did not participate in these alleged insertions. In fact, she explicitly voted against the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the 2025 national budget on December 11, 2024. Her opposition to the final version of the budget is a matter of public record, documented in the Senate journal. The accusations against her have been debunked by multiple fact-checking reports, which noted that the claims relied on unidentified documents and ignored her documented 'no' vote. The controversy surrounding 'bicam insertions' is a broader issue regarding transparency in the Philippine legislative process, but attributing such actions to Senator Hontiveros is a distortion of her actual legislative conduct. She has consistently denied these allegations, labeling them as 'fake news' intended to discredit her work.