© OCHA/R. Moussa Maz A health worker disinfects the entrance to the morgue of an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. DR Congo: WHO coordinates trials of new drugs and vaccines against Ebola Healthcare
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to spread faster than the response can be scaled up. At the same time, international research teams have begun clinical trials of experimental treatments, preventive drugs and vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced this today.
According to WHO, as of August 1, 3,748 cases of the disease were confirmed in the country, including 1,657 deaths. 708 patients have recovered. About 17 thousand people who had contact with the sick are under observation, with more than 80 percent of them undergoing medical examinations daily.
Testing new treatment methods
As the acting head of the WHO research and development program, Vasya Murthy, said during a briefing in Geneva, today there are no safe and effective methods for treating and preventing the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, as well as vaccines against it. This allowed research to begin immediately after the current outbreak was declared.
A clinical trial of treatments called PARTNERS is already underway in the province of Ituri and is being conducted at three sites. More than 50 patients are taking part in it, and as new centers open, the rate of enrollment of participants will increase.
In parallel, a trial of the drug obeldesivir for post-exposure prophylaxis continues in Ituri. Researchers are assessing whether a ten-day course of the drug can prevent people at high risk of developing the disease from developing the disease. More than 25 participants have already been included in the study.
Vaccine development
WHO also announced the start of trials of two vaccines. On the twenty-fourth of July, the first phase of clinical trials of a vaccine specially developed by the University of Oxford together with the Institute started in the UK Indian blood serum. This week, the first phase of trials of the Moderna vaccine is due to begin in Canada. Accordingly, the WHO convened a meeting of its Technical Advisory Group on July 31, and recommendations on the use of these data are scheduled to be published later this week.
In response to questions from reporters, Murthy noted that more definitive conclusions from ongoing research will take several more months.
He also stressed that Compared to previous Ebola outbreaks, clinical trials were able to begin much faster because the necessary protocols were prepared before the outbreak of the current epidemic. However, despite the encouraging preclinical results, it is still impossible to say whether they will lead to the creation of effective vaccines.