Why COVID-19 is not so spread in Africa: How does Ivermectin affect it?

Authors: Hisaya Tanioka1
, Sayaka Tanioka1
, Kimitaka Kaga2
1
Tanioka Clinic, Bunkyo-Ku Tokyo, Japan
2
National Institute of Sensory Organs, Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, 152-8902, Japan

Abstract
Background: Scientists have so far been unable to determine the reason for the low number of
COVID-19 cases in Africa.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of ivermectin interventions for onchocerciasis on the morbidity,
mortality, recovery, and fatality rates caused by COVID-19.
Method: A retrospective statistical analysis study of the impact of ivermectin against COVID-19
between the 31 onchocerciasis-endemic countries using the community-directed treatment with
ivermectin (CDTI) and the non-endemic 22 countries in Africa. The morbidity, mortality, recovery
rate, and fatality rate caused by COVID-19 were calculated from the WHO situation report in Africa.
We investigated the onchocerciasis endemic 31 countries and the non-endemic 22 countries.
Statistical comparisons used by the Welch test of them in the two groups were made.
Results: The morbidity and mortality were statistically significantly less in the 31 countries using
CDTI. The recovery and fatality rates were not statistically significant difference. The average life
expectancy was statistically significantly higher in the non-endemic countries.
Conclusions: The morbidity and mortality in the onchocerciasis endemic countries are lesser than
those in the non-endemic ones. The community-directed onchocerciasis treatment with ivermectin is
the most reasonable explanation for the decrease in morbidity and fatality rate in Africa. In areas
where ivermectin is distributed to and used by the entire population, it leads to a significant
reduction in mortality.