Mosquito-Killing Pill Ivermectin Reduces Malaria by 26%, Landmark Study Finds

A major international study has shown that ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug traditionally used against river blindness and scabies, can significantly decrease malaria transmission when given to large populations alongside existing bed net programs.

The results, highlighted in the BOHEMIA trial—the largest study of its kind to date—revealed a 26% drop in new malaria infections on top of the protection provided by bed nets. These findings offer encouragement for the global fight against malaria, a disease that still causes over 260 million cases and nearly 600,000 deaths worldwide annually.

The research, coordinated by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) with support from the Manhica Health Research Centre and the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, addressed growing concerns over mosquito resistance to regular insecticides and behavioral changes in mosquitoes that evade current control measures. As traditional interventions like insecticidal nets and indoor spraying lose effectiveness, innovative solutions are urgently needed.

Ivermectin operates by killing mosquitoes that feed on individuals who have taken the drug, thus disrupting the transmission cycle. The BOHEMIA project, funded by Unitaid, conducted mass drug administration trials in Kenya’s Kwale County and Mozambique’s Mopeia district—regions with high malaria burdens. In Kwale County, children ages 5–15 were treated; in Mozambique, the drug was given to children under five. Each child received a single dose monthly for three months at the start of the rainy season.

Children who received ivermectin showed a 26% reduction in malaria incidence compared to those given the control drug, albendazole. The trial’s scope was substantial, involving over 20,000 participants and more than 56,000 treatments. Notably, the most significant impacts were observed among children farthest from administrative borders and in areas where drug coverage was highest. The safety profile of ivermectin was also favorable, with only mild and temporary side effects reported and no severe adverse events.

Dr. Carlos Chaccour, co-principal investigator of BOHEMIA, emphasized, “Ivermectin has shown great promise in reducing malaria transmission and could complement existing control measures.” Other researchers highlighted the relevance of these results to the World Health Organisation’s criteria for new vector control tools and stressed the importance of further studies before widespread rollout.

National health authorities and the World Health Organisation’s vector control groups are now reviewing these findings and considering ivermectin’s inclusion in broader malaria control strategies, especially where insecticide resistance has compromised traditional tools.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes reporting from The Tribune (ANI), based on study details provided by the institutions involved. It does not offer medical advice or substitute for guidance from health professionals. The Tribune and the original study’s coordinators assume no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of summary details presented here.