NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Last Wednesday, New Mexico state health officials announced during a COVID-19 update the deaths of two people linked to taking the anti-parasitic drug, ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19.

Counties of New Mexico
New Mexico map/US Government

During the news conference hosted by Acting Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, Dr. David Scrase, the health panelists noted the two patients who died were ages 38 and 79 years old and kidney failure was the result in one of the cases. They were among the 14 patients in the state hospitalized after being poisoned by the use of ivermectin.

“It’s the wrong medicine for something really serious,” Dr. Scrase said.

Poison control centers in New Mexico report more cases of people taking highly concentrated forms of the drug intended for animals. bigger like horses and cows.

The FDA notes that animal drugs are often highly concentrated because they are used for large animals like horses and cows, which can weigh a lot more than we do—a ton or more. Such high doses can be highly toxic in humans.

FDA ivermectin warning: You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.

Florida Poison Control reports spike in cases related to ivermectin, Most involve meds for livestock

Ivermectin: 5-day course did not significantly improve the time to resolution of mild COVID-19 symptoms

NIH changes on use of ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19