Mectizan Expert Committee Statement on Potential Efficacy of Ivermectin on COVID-19
A report by Caly et al found that ivermectin has shown in vitro activity against SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) in tissue culture with Vero-hSLAM cells. These findings are consistent with the activity of ivermectin previously reported against other viruses in vitro. However, the high concentration of ivermectin needed to produce anti-viral effects in laboratory tissue culture is far beyond dosage levels approved by the FDA for treatment of parasites in humans and known to be safe and well tolerated. Furthermore, the concentration is many times higher than dosage levels ever tested in humans. High doses in animal models have produced serious toxicity. These preliminary laboratory findings in tissue cultures are not sufficient to indicate that ivermectin will be of clinical benefit to reduce viral loads in COVID-19 patients.
Caly, L., et al., The FDA-approved drug ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Antiviral research, 2020.
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Stamp Out Oncho – Cameroon 2019 (A Short Film)
This short film covers the movement to eliminate Onchocerciasis (river blindness) in Cameroon, Africa. Follow our Vimeo account for more video footage from the field.
Mectizan Program Notes – Winter 2020
For more information, please download and read the attached PDF.
Mectizan Program Notes – Winter 2020 (1.10 MB)Publication: Challenges to Making the Decision to Stop Mass Drug Administration for Onchocerciasis: Lessons Learned from Nigeria
This editorial from Darin S. Evans raises important questions regarding the decision to stop mass drug administration (MDA) for countries with onchocerciasis as they approach transmission interruption.
Evans, 2020 (38.33 KB)WHO Road Map 2021-2030: Ending the Neglect to Attain the Sustainable Development Goals
The WHO road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is a call to action for Member States, donors, implementing partners, disease experts and all other stakeholders to align their strategies and plans towards the prevention of infections and alleviation of the suffering of people affected by NTDs.
WHO Road Map for NTDs 2021-2030 (2.45 MB)Publication: Interruption of Transmission of Human Onchocerciasis by Mass Drug Administration Program in Plateau & Nasarawa States, Nigeria
This research paper focuses on the first stop-Mass Drug Administration (MDA) decision for onchocerciasis in Nigeria. These findings can be modeled by other African countries to advance their MDA programs to reach similar levels of success.
Richards et al., 2020 (803.37 KB)