Michigan COVID-19: Death toll nears 2,000, 900 in Wayne County; Ivermectin warning

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are reporting 28,059 coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19 cases through April 15, including 1,921 deaths.

Wayne County has seen nearly 900 deaths. As of Wednesday, Detroit has 7,020 cases and 424 deaths in the city alone.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are warning the public against the promotion or use of the drug ivermectin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

Ivermectin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in animals for prevention of heartworm disease in some small animal species, and for treatment of certain internal and external parasites in various animal species, as well as humans.

Recently, the drug has gained some attention due to a pre-publication paper for the journal Antiviral Research. The paper documents how SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) responded to ivermectin when exposed in a petri dish. Ivermectin was not given to people or animals in this study.

FDA warning: Ivermectin meant for animals are not for human treatment for COVID-19

“We cannot emphasize this strongly enough: this study was not tested in humans or in animals,” said State Veterinarian Nora Wineland. “It was done in a petri dish. As intriguing as the results may be, at this point, they mean little to nothing in the actual prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in either animals or humans. Ivermectin sold for use in animals has not been evaluated for safety in species other than those listed on the label and may cause serious harm if taken by people.”

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“We understand Michiganders’ concerns about COVID-19 and the desire to find a cure quickly,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “However, there are no approved preventive medications for COVID-19 in humans, and we do not want anyone being harmed by taking medications inappropriately. Staying home and practicing good public health practices like washing hands frequently, wearing a homemade mask if you must go out, and covering coughs and sneezes appropriately is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19.”



