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Ebola is one of the most deadly viral diseases in the world. Currently, a partnership of public and private organizations in the United States and Canada claims to have discovered a combination of drugs that can treat this deadly disease.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization reported that at least 580 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo had contracted the Ebola virus. At least 383 of these people died as a result of the disease.
The spread of the virus has been difficult to contain although treatments, including a vaccine, have improved. The ongoing conflict in the east of the country has hindered relief efforts.
It is in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that scientists discovered the Ebola virus in 1976. At that time, the country called Zaire. The disease is named after the Ebola River, where the virus infected people.
Since its discovery until 2013, there was neither treatment nor vaccine.
However, scientists have begun to study the virus, trying to devise better ways to treat its different forms. They managed to produce a vaccine. Vaccinations helped end Ebola release which spread in three countries in West Africa between 2013 and 2016. More than 11,000 people died in this outbreak.
At that time, a treatment against the form of Ebola virus from Zaire had been developed. But its production was expensive and is not effective in treating two other deadly forms of Ebola virus, the Sudan virus and the Bundibugyo virus.
The largest shopping centerA new combination drug for Ebola
Now scientists have found a cure for three forms of the virus. Their research resulted in a combination of drugs called MBP134. They say that the treatment helped the monkeys infected with the three forms of Ebola to recover.
In addition, the treatment requires only one injection.
Thomas Geisbert led the research at the Medical Branch of the University of Texas at Galveston. It was a public-private partnership between Mapp Biopharmaceutical, the American Institute for Infectious Diseases and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Geisbert explained to VOA that it was necessary to have effective treatment against all forms of Ebola.
"When an epidemic occurs, we really do not know which of these three strains, specieswe call them, it's the cause, "he said.
He added that previously available treatments only worked well against Zaire species. Geisbert said his group's goal was to develop a treatment that would work for all forms of Ebola.
"If I have to make a medicine that only works against Zaire, and one that only works against Sudan and one that works only against the Bundibugyo species, it's extremely expensive, he noted.
Geisbert said the new treatment will save valuable time in identifying the form of Ebola that spreads in the event of an outbreak. He said it would save lives, because people could be treated immediately, and that would also save money.
Geisbert noted that there was not much profit for the companies that produce the drugs because there is a very small international market for Ebola treatments.
"So, you really have to sponsored by the government, "he said.
In addition to the US Army and the Canadian government, the US National Institutes of Health supported the research.
Geisbert said that the work ahead meant reducing the amount of drugs used to its lowest possible level. This will make it easier for the public and reduce costs. One must also test the drugs on the man to make sure that the treatment is safe and that it works well.
The treatment may not be ready to help people infected with the Ebola virus during the current outbreak in the DRC. However, countries affected by the virus may have the necessary treatment to cope with future outbreaks of Ebola if other tests are successful.
I am Pete Musto.
Carol Pearson reported this story for VOA. Pete Musto adapted it to learn English. Mario Ritter Jr. was the publisher. How much do you think this new treatment will help prevent the spread of the Ebola virus? We want your news. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in this story
Contract(ed) – v. get sick
release – not. a sudden start or increase in fighting or illness
happen(s) – v. happen
strain(s) – not. a kind or a kind of something
species – not. a group of animals or similar plants that can produce young animals or young plants
expensive – adj. costing a lot of money
sponsor(ed) – v. support, take responsibility for someone or something and pay
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