Australian scientists discover potential 48-hour cure for COVID-19

Australian scientists claim they have found a potential cure in an existing drug which kills coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19, within 48 hours in the laboratory, Daily Mail reports.

In the report by the tabloid, Australian researchers said that the drug known as ivermectin which is used in both the US and NHS as an anti-parasitic drug, could be useful against COVID-19.

Researchers from the Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, found that ivermectin could impede the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a laboratory setting in under 48 hours, according to the study that was published in Antiviral Research.

Although the researchers are not yet sure how exactly ivermectin can kill coronavirus, they believe that the drug paralyzes the virus and “overwhelms its nervous system,” which then impedes its replication process.

“Ivermectin is very widely used and seen as a safe drug. We need to figure out now whether the dosage you can use it in humans will be effective. That’s the next step,” said Dr. Kylie Wagstaff, the study’s leader.

READ ALSO: Sao Tome and Principe records first index cases

The discovery comes after the Lagos State Commissioner for Health; Prof. Akin Abayomi disclosed that there will soon be a definite cure for COVID-19 in the near future as there is a lot of research going on around the world.

Speaking during a press briefing in Ikeja, the State capital on Monday Prof. Akin Abayomi said there are plans to begin COVID-19 clinical trials in the state noting that it would be in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other institutions.

“There are a lot of research going on around the world, so it is possible that at some time in the near future, we will have what we may describe as a definitive cure for COVID-19.

“Indeed we are setting up our own clinical trials in Lagos in collaboration with other institutions and the NCDC and hopefully by this time next week, we should have started some clinical trials on our patients and on our staff in Lagos State,” he said.

Focus Keyword (Australian scientists)

Meta Keywords (Australian scientists, Australian scientists discover COVID-19 cure, Australian scientists discover potential 48 hours cure for deadly COVID-19 disease)

()

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now