Five absurd health claims that rocked 2025

Over time, health information actors have remained adamant, consistently mixing myths with truths and making assertions not backed by evidence. 

Fact-checkers and media researchers have had to deal with misinformation from self-proclaimed alternative medicine practitioners. 

While alternative medicine is actually recognised in medical science, there are parameters to measure its potential and subsequent integration into mainstream medicine. 

In 2025, the health infodemic extended beyond texts and fake testimonials to the integration of Artificial Intelligence, which increased its credibility, thereby putting more lives and families at risk. 

DUBAWA, however, did not relent in its efforts to combat health misinformation. Here are some of the absurd health claims we fact-checked in 2025.

1. Are 24,000 women and girls living with HIV/AIDS in Liberia?

A few hours after the National  AIDS Commission of Liberia released a concerning statistic of 36,000 Liberians living with HIV/AIDS in Liberia, a popular Facebook influencer in the country, Bassa Monk, took to his social media page to claim that 24,000 of the given figure were women and girls between the ages of 15-49.

However, upon reviewing the commission’s report, DUBAWA found the claim to be misleading. The report specifically stated that the number of women affected was 21,000 and added that testing coverage has improved significantly. Read more.

2. Is there a new virus outbreak in China?

Another absurd health claim that went viral on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok in 2025 was that a new virus outbreak in China stemmed from a man who ate the semen of a bird.

The claim drew the attention of many users, who feared a repeat of the coronavirus pandemic that had rocked the world five years prior. This claim further promoted anti-China sentiments, with some users making derogatory remarks about the Asian country.

Meanwhile, DUBAWA’s fact-check found that this recurring claim was shared by a satire page on Instagram, but it was only noted in the bio. 

Unsuspecting members of the public who did not check the bio believed the report and reshared it widely. Also, the ‘Tech Times’ page on Facebook that reshared the post and increased the credibility of the report was not in any way connected to the reputable media firm with the same identity.  Read more here.

3. Does Tylenol cause Autism, as Trump claimed?

In a surprising twist of events, US President Donald Trump advised pregnant women not to take Tylenol (paracetamol), claiming the medication could cause autism in children. 

During a news conference at the White House in September 2025, Trump urged expectant mothers to ‘fight like hell not to take it (the medication)’ because of the supposed link with developmental challenges in children. 

This assertion, however, attracted backlash from medical bodies, researchers, and practitioners who have long been recommending the painkiller to curb fever in pregnant women. 

DUBAWA reported the WHO’s response to Trump’s claim, which showed that there was no conclusive scientific evidence to show that the use of paracetamol during pregnancy could result in Autism Spectrum Disorder in children yet.

The organisation noted that the exact cause(s) of Autism have not been established and explained that multiple factors could be involved. Find more information here.

4. Does women’s egg quality decline by age 33?

One aspect of health affected by misinformation is women’s health. Unproven claims about fertility, vaccines, and other health conditions particular to women thrive on social media platforms, posing a lot of risk to not just the women but society at large. 

In a post on her X handle, popular Nigerian female influencer Ife Agoro advised women to freeze their eggs before age 30, noting that a woman’s egg quality begins to decline by age 33.

However, DUBAWA investigated the claim and found it misleading. Findings showed that egg quality does not decline until some years after the one stated by the claimant. Experts explained that women younger than 35 years have a better chance of easy conception compared to women older than 35.

They also clarified that this does not mean older women cannot conceive. Find more details here.

5. Pastor makes misleading claim linking fluoride with cancer

In one of his sermons, Chris Oyakhilome, president of LoveWorld Incorporated, urged members of his congregation to avoid products containing fluoride, such as milk and toothpaste. The cleric claimed fluoride was a major cause of cancer and warned people not to use products that contain fluoride.

DUBAWA’s research found that fluoridation was introduced as a public health measure to reduce dental decay in historically marginalised areas. While excessive fluoride exposure has been linked to specific health issues, over-the-counter products such as milk and toothpaste typically do not contain toxic levels of fluoride. 

Also, the National Cancer Institute explained that there was no ample evidence that fluoride is harmful or that it causes cancer. Read more here.