DRC Enrolls First Ebola Trial Patients as 1,792 Bundibugyo Cases Test 2 Drugs
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 12
DRC Enrolls First Ebola Trial Patients as 1,792 Bundibugyo Cases Test 2 Drugs
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 12
Summary
Six weeks after WHO declared the outbreak a global emergency, the DRC enrolled its first patients in a Bundibugyo Ebola treatment trial testing remdesivir, MBP134, both drugs together, or supportive care alone.
1,792 confirmed cases and 625 deaths had been recorded by July 9, and scientists hope the trial can cut mortality for a strain that still kills about one in three infected people.
700 to 1,000 patients are likely needed for a result, with enough donated drug for 1,200 enrollees and more trial sites expected to open within months.
The outbreak is still expanding as responders trace about 75% of known contacts, while community mistrust, a mobile population, airport closure and pay protests by frontline workers disrupt control efforts.
A second study due this week will test whether obeldesivir can prevent infection in contacts, though Africa CDC said it still needs $18 million, with $6 million committed.