The trial of two potential treatments for the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began in the country on Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for the rare strain of Ebola which has been spreading in the northeastern provinces of the DRC. In the outbreak, there have been 1,406 confirmed cases and 438 confirmed deaths, while 208 people have recovered from the virus.
The trial is evaluating the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, alone and in combination.
The outbreak is heavily centred in the DRC’s Ituri province. The trial will begin in one treatment facility in Ituri before gradually expanding to others in the province.
The trial could take several months and might require more than 1,000 patients to produce definitive answers.
The WHO meanwhile said the Ebola response was facing many challenges, taking place against the backdrop of a region ravaged by conflict and pre-existing deep humanitarian needs.
