Kinshasa: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated clinical trials for two potential Ebola treatments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking a significant step in combating the current outbreak. The first patient has already been enrolled in the study, which aims to assess the treatments' efficacy against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
According to Emirates News Agency, the trials also seek to evaluate the combined effectiveness of the two treatments, as there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been grappling with this outbreak since May, with over 1,400 confirmed cases and 400 fatalities reported by the end of June.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the potential life-saving impact of having safe and effective treatments available. Meanwhile, Amanda Rojek, the study's lead investigator and an associate professor at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, emphasized the importance of conducting research simultaneously with outbreak response efforts.
Roger Kamba, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, expressed optimism that the trial's outcomes would not only save lives during the current crisis but also enhance preparedness for future epidemics.
