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By Dylana Kneeshaw

COVID-19

Kamloops health officials advise against consumption of veterinary ivermectin

Sep 1, 2021 | 4:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — A trend coming out of the United States — a growing number of people in Canada claim to be taking ivermectin, a horse deworming medication, as they believe it aids in prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

This week Health Canada stated it has received concerning reports of the use of veterinary ivermectin, and urged people to not ingest the substance. The medication has been touted as a potential cure or treatment for the virus, but to date, Health Canada has not received any drug submission or clinical trial application for ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. (Read the full statement here)

In Kamloops, Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton advises people not to consume the medication meant for horses.

“I, as a medical doctor, would strongly advise people not to take any medication that is not intended for human consumption. And that is not dose appropriately for humans, and is not recommended for any condition that you have.”

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As with any substance, Dr. Fenton and other medical professionals ask people to seek advice from qualified, reputable sources.

“My recommendation is to look at your sources. Who is recommending this, and how do they know that this is safe and effective compared to the authorities or the specialists.”

Meantime, the Interior Health Authority continues to encourage people to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Fenton notes latest modelling from the province shows a stark contrast of infection rates between unvaccinated and vaccinated populations.

“Those who are unvaccinated are very vulnerable to the Delta variant because it is so contagious. And so we are seeing it spread very rapidly through that relatively small proportion of the population now to the degree that it’s overwhelming our systems.”

First- and second-dose rates continue to climb after the recent announcement of proof of vaccination requirements for non-essential activities in British Columbia. But Dr. Fenton notes there has also been some frustration expressed.

“What we are also seeing though are people who are upset that they’re required to get a vaccination and are not treating our staff very well. That’s not appropriate,” she reiterates. “They’re not the people to be mad at.”

“Healthcare workers are there and they’ve been putting in their all in this pandemic for the past 18 months. So even if you’re angry or upset, or annoyed about what the province is requiring of you, of what public health is requiring of you, it is never appropriate to take it out on someone on the front lines.”