BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 2, 2021
Late summer is often a time when the need for anti-parasitics increases, as farmers and other livestock owners are preparing to deworm their animals. Livestock that are parasite-free over winter fare better and are more disease-resistant. But demand for ivermectin has spiked due to misinformation suggesting the dewormer is effective in treating COVID-19. While there are ongoing clinical trials in the U.S. looking at the possibility of using ivermectin in such cases, the data have not shown effectiveness. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, cases of people using ivermectin have increased in 2021, as have calls to poison control centers. Interest in the drug is causing farm supply stores around the country to report shortages of the livestock dewormer.