The World Health Organization has announced the launch of a major clinical trial against the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The first patient was recruited on Thursday, marking a significant step in the fight against this epidemic.
The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, welcomed this progress while highlighting the ongoing challenges on the ground. He specifically mentioned an attack on an Ebola treatment center in Ituri province, during which two people were killed.
“Despite all this progress, we continue to face significant challenges, including mistrust and violence,” said the WHO official. Health authorities believe these obstacles considerably complicate efforts to control the epidemic.
To date, there is no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. This variant has already caused more than 1,400 cases in the DRC, including 438 deaths, according to figures released by the WHO.
The organization also indicated that the country has been recording an average of 38 new confirmed cases per day over the past two weeks, which demonstrates the continued active transmission of the virus.
The clinical trial, expected to include more than 1,000 patients and last several months, will evaluate the experimental antibody MBP134 developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical, used alone or in combination with Gilead Sciences' antiviral drug remdesivir. Researchers hope to determine whether this combination can improve the management of patients with Ebola Bundibugyo.
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