Joe Rogan Alleges Weaponized Disease Behind Insidious Spread Across the US

Joe Rogan’s Lyme Disease Conspiracy Gains Attention Amid Rising Cases
(Condensed to ~600 words)

Joe Rogan has repeatedly claimed Lyme disease originated from a lab. (Image: Daily Mail)

Podcaster Joe Rogan is reigniting controversy with claims that Lyme disease—a tick-borne illness spreading across the U.S.—was a man-made bioweapon leaked from Plum Island, a government lab near Connecticut. On his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the host alleged the disease stemmed from a 1970s U.S. bioweapons program, citing conspiracy theories shared by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Plum Island Theory
Rogan claims Lyme disease emerged after accidental releases from Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), a facility researching animal pathogens since the 1950s. In a March 2024 episode, he stated, “RFK Jr. firmly believes this was a weapons program… to overwhelm medical systems.” Kennedy, now U.S. Health Secretary, echoed these claims in his 2024 podcast, alleging scientists experimented with infecting ticks.

Scientific Rebuttals
Experts dismiss these claims, noting Lyme’s bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi) existed in North America long before modern labs. Studies, including Yale research on preserved 19th-century animals, confirm its natural origins. The CDC reports 476,000 annual U.S. cases (mostly unreported), with symptoms like rashes, fever, and fatigue. Untreated, it can cause heart issues and neurological damage.

Lyme disease cases are vastly underreported. (Image: Daily Mail)

Government Denials
The Department of Homeland Security insists Plum Island “has not performed research on Lyme disease.” Despite this, Rogan and Kennedy reference books like Bitten by Kris Newby, which interviews scientist Willy Burgdorfer (who discovered the Lyme bacterium). Burgdorfer allegedly admitted to weaponizing insects during Cold War projects.

RFK Jr.’s Shifting Stance
During his Senate confirmation, Kennedy backtracked, stating he “never believed” Lyme was a bioweapon but urged “following evidence.” Critics highlight his history of promoting debunked health theories, including vaccine misinformation.

Lyme Disease Basics

• Transmission: Spread via infected black-legged ticks, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest.
• Symptoms: Bulls-eye rash (70-80% of cases), fever, joint pain. Untreated, it may cause paralysis or heart inflammation.
• Prevention: Check for ticks after outdoor activities; remove them within 24 hours to reduce infection risk.

Ticks spread Lyme by feeding on infected animals. (Image: Daily Mail)

Conspiracy’s Persistence
Rogan’s March 2024 episode, viewed over 1 million times on X, claims ticks were designed to “overwhelm medical systems.” Similar assertions circulated in 2019–2020, when New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith called for a Pentagon probe into tick research.

Conclusion
While conspiracy theories attract attention, scientists stress Lyme’s natural origins and advocate for prevention. As cases rise, health officials urge prompt treatment with antibiotics to avert severe complications.

RFK Jr. has promoted contested theories about Lyme’s origins. (Image: Daily Mail)

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Stay vigilant: Wear repellent, avoid tall grass, and check for ticks to reduce Lyme risk.