Debunked Bill Gates tick theory resurfaces through MAHA social media claims
Spike in tick bites and Lyme disease risk
Social media is experiencing a resurgence of conspiracy theories linking Bill Gates to the breeding and release of ticks that cause red meat allergies, allegedly to promote plant-based diets.
Another prominent theory falsely claims Pfizer planted ticks to boost demand for its Lyme disease vaccine, despite the company announcing its vaccine development plans in 2020.
Both the Bill Gates and Pfizer tick conspiracy theories have been widely debunked by fact-checkers, with no evidence supporting the claims.
These recent theories follow previous debunked conspiracies, such as the claim that Lyme disease originated from a Cold War-era U.S. bioweapons program at Plum Island.
Experts attribute the actual increase in tick-related emergency room visits to environmental factors like warmer winters, changes in landscape management, and reduced wildlife diversity, rather than malicious intent.
