The rise of the Covid-19 pandemic has acted as a unifying force around the world, with nations rising to the challenge to deliver vital vaccines.
But a public health crisis which has stretched on for more than two years has also led to distrust and division, with anti-vaccine sentiment intensifying under the glare of social media.
In the early stages of the pandemic, anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine was embraced by some as a magic cure for Covid-19 after being championed by former US President Donald Trump.
More recently, ivermectin has emerged as a potential saviour for those opposed to vaccination.
Earlier this week, Reuters was forced to correct a report claiming ivermectin was effective in the treatment of Covid-19.
It is not the first time the drug has generated controversy. But what is it? And why do people keep saying it can cure the disease?
The National explains.
What is ivermectin?
It is a deworming drug mainly used by vets. But it can be used in humans and is approved for treating infections caused by some types of parasitic worms, as well as head lice and a skin condition called rosacea.
It is not, however, approved for use in the treatment of Covid-19. And many regulators, including the US Food and Drug Administration and its counterpart in Mexico, have specifically issued warnings against doing so as it has not been shown to be effective against the coronavirus as a treatment in people.
So where did the idea that it works come from?
It all started early after the onset of the pandemic in 2020, when research showed it was effective in killing the virus in vitro, which means in a test tube, essentially.
But what works in a lab does not always work in a person. And that is what happened in the case of ivermectin. Clinical trials showed it did not help treat the disease.
An analysis of available studies found that more than a third of the 26 major trials into its use against Covid had “serious errors or signs of fraud”, according to the BBC.
Covid-19 around the world - in pictures
The rest provided no persuasive evidence it was effective. Dr Syed Rabbani, a specialist in internal medicine at NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah, said while it was initially believed to hold promise, it has not been proved that it works.
A colleague at the hospital echoed those thoughts.
“There is very limited evidence for the benefit of ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment or [as a] prophylaxis,” said Dr Ram Shukla, specialist physician in infectious diseases at the Sharjah hospital.
“Most of the evidence is very low quality and further robust studies are needed before recommending it for treatment for Covid-19.
“Lack of effective data and possible drug interaction may lead to dose variations and harm. The available level of evidence does not justify use of ivermectin for treatment or [as a] prophylaxis for Covid-19,” he said.
Why is it still touted as a cure by some?
Because many against vaccination — widely known as anti-vaxxers — have seized on its potential to treat the disease. They include people like Laurence Fox, a British actor who recently said he was taking the drug to treat his symptoms while making light of the virus.
It has also been promoted by many conservative politicians in the US. That has led to a surge in calls to poison control centres about overdoses related to its use in the treatment for Covid.
In large doses it can cause vomiting, seizures and even kill.
What reignited the controversy around the drug?
Earlier this week, Reuters, a news agency, was forced to issue a correction after erroneously claiming a phase 3 trial into the use of the drug against Covid showed it was effective.
A press release from Japanese pharmaceutical company Kowa, which is conducting a study into the drug, detailed information about preclinical work it had conducted, which showed Ivermectin was still effective in vitro against Omicron.
“All this report is saying is that … *in a lab* … ivermectin retains its antiviral properties again Omicron,” tweeted Dr Alastair McAlpine, paediatric infectious diseases doctor.
“Which is hardly blockbuster news. But as we know, this has not translated into meaningful data in humans. This report changes nothing.”
The Reuters story, which claimed ivermectin was “effective”, remained online for hours on Monday before a correction was issued.
The news agency service told Newsweek: “The original Reuters story misstated that ivermectin was 'effective' against Omicron in Phase III clinical trials, which are conducted in humans.
“We corrected this to clarify it had an 'antiviral effect' against Omicron and it was shown in joint non-clinical research. After being made aware of the error, we corrected our story immediately.”
The correction came too late and created further confusion by conservative anti-vaxxers, who latched on to the news and shared it widely.
They included the controversial US podcaster, Joe Rogan. He shared the news on his Twitter account, with the comment “Well, lookie here”.
He has since deleted the tweet.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
DUNGEONS%20%26%20DRAGONS%3A%20HONOR%20AMONG%20THIEVES
%3Cp%3EDirectors%3A%20John%20Francis%20Daley%20and%20Jonathan%20Goldstein%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Michelle%20Rodriguez%2C%20Rege-Jean%20Page%2C%20Justice%20Smith%2C%20Sophia%20Lillis%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More on animal trafficking
The five pillars of Islam
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
The years Ramadan fell in May
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.0%20twin-turbo%20inline%20six-cylinder%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E503hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E600Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh450%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Monchengladbach 1
Bayern: Zirkzee (26'), Goretzka (86')
Gladbach: Pavard (37' og)
Man of the Match: Breel Embolo (Borussia Monchengladbach)
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place play-off
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
More coverage from the Future Forum
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The five pillars of Islam
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The years Ramadan fell in May
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
The years Ramadan fell in May
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
