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DRC begins Ebola treatment trial amid ongoing outbreak
🇲🇽 Mexico /Health & Science

DRC begins Ebola treatment trial amid ongoing outbreak

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated a clinical trial for two potential treatments against the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus.
  • The trial, named PARTNERS, will evaluate a monoclonal antibody (MBP134) and an antiviral (remdesivir), both individually and in combination.
  • The Ebola outbreak in the DRC has resulted in 438 deaths and 1,406 cases, with the virus continuing to spread despite efforts to contain it.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a clinical trial for two promising treatments aimed at combating the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus, which is currently causing an outbreak in the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the trial began with the enrollment of the first patient.

Today the clinical trial of two treatments began, with the inclusion of the first patient

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the commencement of the clinical trial.

The study, designated PARTNERS, will assess the efficacy of a monoclonal antibody known as MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir. Researchers will test these treatments both separately and in combination to determine the most effective therapeutic approach. The trial is being coordinated by the National Institute for Biomedical Research of the DRC, with significant support from the WHO and other partners.

"Patients who participate will benefit from comprehensive supportive care and close monitoring," stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He added that efforts are underway to ensure access to these medications for patients should they prove safe and effective. The WHO has also granted emergency use authorization for the first molecular diagnostic test for the Bundibugyo virus, for which no vaccine or treatment previously existed.

Patients who participate will benefit from comprehensive supportive care and close monitoring

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the patient care within the trial.

The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC has been severe, with authorities reporting 438 deaths and 1,406 confirmed cases since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15. This represents a case fatality rate of 31.2%. The virus continues to spread, with an average of 38 new confirmed cases daily over the past two weeks. Despite improvements in contact tracing and increased healthcare capacity, the response faces significant challenges, including "mistrust and violence," which have endangered healthcare workers and complicated containment efforts.

We are also working to ensure their access to these two drugs if they prove to be safe and effective

— Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusWHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about future access to the trial treatments.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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