Ivermectin is a key anti-parasite drug used in humans and animals. Vaccine opponents wrongly promoted the medicine as a COVID-19 cure. While health officials found insufficient support for those claims, ivermectin now shows surprising promise against a different deadly disease: malaria.
A large clinical trial tested ivermectin’s ability to reduce malaria infections. Results found a 26% drop in malaria infections among children.
The study took place in Kwale, a coastal region of Kenya. Malaria is common there, and most people already use insecticide-treated nets. The study aimed to see if ivermectin could offer extra protection.
How Did the Study Show Ivermectin Protects against Malaria?
Kwale County has a population of 866,820 people. Kwale has the highest malaria burden among Kenya’s coastal counties. Malaria transmission is year-round, with infection rates reaching 37.9% in children under 5. Most homes had insecticide-treated nets, but no other mosquito-control tools were used.
The trial followed an open-label, assessor-blinded, cluster-randomized design. Clusters were made from household areas with at least 35 children ages 5–15. Buffer zones were set 400 meters around each cluster to prevent overlap.
All adults gave informed consent, and parents gave consent for children. Adolescents aged 13 to 17 also gave informed assent.
Eligible participants were males and nonpregnant females over 15 kg. Female participants of reproductive age took a pregnancy test before each dose. Those who became pregnant during the trial stopped treatment but continued monitoring. Only nonpregnant females could receive the drug.
Clusters were grouped by malaria case volume and randomized 1:1 to ivermectin or albendazole. Participants in the ivermectin group received 400 μg/kg monthly for 3 months. Albendazole was used as a control without mosquito-killing effects.
The main outcomes were malaria infection rates and adverse event rates. Children aged 5–15 were tested monthly for six months after the first dose
What Future Research Did the Malaria/Ivermectin Study’s Authors Suggest?
The study’s authors wrote that Ivermectin could be used alongside other mass drug programs. It may be paired with malaria drugs or vaccines. Models show ivermectin boosts the impact of existing malaria campaigns.
Further research is needed in key groups. This includes children under 15 kg and pregnant women. Trials should also test ivermectin with newer drugs, long-lasting formulas, and vaccines. Some mosquitoes also bite livestock, so livestock treatments may help reduce risk.
Prevention remains the most cost-effective way to control malaria. Insecticide-treated nets are still critical. But some mosquitoes now bite outside or feed on animals. This reduces the power of household tools. Ivermectin works differently than standard insecticides and fills that gap.
Ivermectin also fights neglected tropical diseases like scabies and parasitic worms. Using it through existing drug delivery systems could bring added benefits. These dual gains increase its value in malaria-endemic areas.
Conclusion
Mass ivermectin dosing reduced malaria infections by 26% in coastal Kenya. The drug was safe, with no serious side effects reported. These results support ivermectin as a helpful tool in malaria control.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
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