MS Poison Control Flooded With De-Wormer Calls

ABC News reports:

The Mississippi State Department of Health sent a health alert Friday warning health care providers about a drug used to deworm livestock that some are using to treat and prevent COVID-19.

At least 70% of the recent calls have been related to ingestion of livestock or animal formulations of ivermectin purchased at livestock supply centers.

Mississippi Poison Control Center advises any physicians, providers or hospitals within the state who know patients with illness related to the medication, either prescribed or livestock formulations, to call them at 1-800-222-1222.

The Mississippi Free Press reports:

At least one individual has been hospitalized in Mississippi after ingesting a drug intended for treating worms in livestock, the Mississippi State Department of Health revealed today. The medicine, ivermectin, is not approved for treating COVID-19.

“There are potential toxicities. So it’s something, you know, as you know, I think some people are trying to use it as a preventative, which I think is really kind of crazy. So please don’t do that,” Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said during a discussion on Zoom today.

The ingestion of ivermectin is causing illness in COVID-19 patients. https://t.co/MJVwAHgen3

— WLBT 3 On Your Side (@WLBT) August 20, 2021

A lot of Mississippians are trying to treat COVID with cow deworming meds.

MSDH: “At least 70% of the recent calls (to poison control) have been related to ingestion of livestock or animal formulations of ivermectin purchased at livestock supply centers.” https://t.co/E54a5AdwNv

— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) August 20, 2021