Its pages boasted tens of thousands of users in countries including Bolivia, Colombia, Argentina and Ecuador.
One group for users in Mexico, seen by Insider, had 45,000 members.
Comusav in a statement to Insider claimed that the bleach treatment works, which is contested by medical authorities like the FDA, which says it is toxic and that there is no evidence it is effective as a treatment for any illness.
Though Facebook has introduced a number of policies that it says has reduced the ability of users to spread medical misinformation, advocates were still able to use the platform.
Before their removal, the groups existed in the open, and users made no attempt to conceal their activities and beliefs.
South Americans used Facebook groups to share images and stories of using toxic bleach to treat COVID-19 and cancer after misinformation swept the continent yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
South Americans used Facebook groups to share images, stories of using bleach to treat Covid-19, cancer
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A pharmacist holds a medicine containing chlorine dioxide at a pharmacy in Cochabamba, Bolivia , amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cochabamba, Bolivia, July 21, 2020.
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Using Facebook, advocates claimed it can fight Covid-19 and also cancer.
The movement has found fertile ground in Latin America, despite efforts to stop it.
After being contacted by Insider, Facebook said it would remove the groups.
A network of Facebook pages and groups in South America helped fuel the popularity of a dangerous chemical marketed as a cure for Covid-19, an Insider investigation found.
Argentina to probe alternative health advocate, who popularised bleach as Covid-19 cure, after 2 die Feb 04, 2021, 11:55 AM
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Prosecutors in Argentina are investigating Andreas Kalcker, who popularised the bleach Chlorine Dioxide as a Covid-19 treatment.
A boy, 5, and man, 50, died last year in Argentina after taking the substance.
Chlorine dioxide has soared in popularity in South America, despite prominent warnings.
The development comes after a 5-year-old boy and 50-year-old man died after taking the substance.
The substance is a type of bleach commonly used to treat paper products. However, an group of advocates, working mostly online, have convinced many that it has miraculous powers to cure diseases including Covid-19.
An alternative health advocate who popularized drinking bleach as a COVID-19 cure in South America is under investigation after 2 deaths yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.