First patients enrolled in record-breaking Ebola treatment trial in DRC
Summary
A new trial has started in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to test two experimental drugs for treating the current Ebola outbreak. The outbreak has caused nearly 1,800 confirmed cases and over 600 deaths, and there is no approved treatment or vaccine for this strain of the virus.Key Facts
- The Ebola outbreak in the DRC involves the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.
- As of July 9, there were 1,792 confirmed Ebola cases and 625 deaths.
- The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency on May 17.
- Two experimental drugs, remdesivir and MBP134, are being tested in a new treatment trial.
- Remdesivir is an antiviral, and MBP134 is a monoclonal antibody therapy; both showed promising results in animals.
- The trial will randomly assign patients to receive one of the drugs, both combined, or standard care.
- Health workers face challenges like lack of pay, shortages of protective equipment, and community mistrust.
- Efforts to control the outbreak include isolating patients, tracking contacts, and safely burying victims.
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