New drug Ivermectin can reduce risk of malaria in children, finds study

Ivermectin, is widely used in mass drug administrations for controlling neglected parasitic diseases and can be lethal to malaria vectors that bite treated humans.

The researchers of the study say that drug intervention every three weeks during a malaria outbreak can reduce the risk of transmission among children aged five or below.

The study conducted at the Colorado State University, reviewed the effects of ivermectin against malaria vectors and developed a common research agenda to test its effectiveness as a malaria transmission control tool. Ivermectin kills malaria vectors that blood feed on treated people and animals a week or more after drug treatment. Around 2,700 people, including 590 children participated, in the study. The participants were given a single dose of ivermectin and albendazole, at a regular interval of three weeks.

The lead researcher Brian D Foy said that Ivermectin reduces new cases of malaria by making a person’s blood lethal to the mosquitoes who bite them, killing mosquitoes and therefore reducing the likelihood of infection of others. “Because ivermectin has a unique mode of action compared to other malaria control insecticides and antimalarial drugs, it could be used alongside drugs that treat malaria to combat residual transmission of the disease,” added Brian Foy.

After 18 months, it was found that the incidence of malaria in the cohort of children of 5 years or younger was reduced. The study concluded that frequently repeated mass administrations of ivermectin during the malaria transmission season can reduce malaria episodes among children without significantly increasing harms in children.

Currently malaria control and preventive measures in the state include antimalarials and drug combination therapies. Tamil Nadu recorded a total of 3,762 cases last year, and the usual vector control programmes are usually focused on prevention using mosquito nets and spraying of insecticides. But, a novel measure to prevent the infection is needed to prevent the transmission of the infection.

Pharmacologist Dr Sharmila Anand says, “Ivermectin has been used as mass drug administrations for Filariasis and Scabies control. It is also effective against Malaria through its killing effect on the vector.”

“Studies have been conducted in Senegalese village to show the efficacy of the Mass Drug Administration of Ivermectin in the control of malaria up to two weeks post the administration. This is especially effective in susceptible population especially children. It could be an effective tool for malaria control especially during epidemic or seasonal peaks once brought into practice,” she said.