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Congo has launched the first-ever trial to test the efficacy and safety of four experimental Ebola drugs. This is the first time that scientists directly compare such treatments, announced Monday the World Health Organization.
The US health agency described the multi-drug trial as a "gigantic step" that "would clarify what works best".
"While our goal remains to end this epidemic, the launch of the Randomized Controlled Trial in the DRC [Congo] This is an important step in the search for an Ebola treatment that will save lives, "said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu province in August, four therapeutic drugs have been used to treat patients, namely mAb 114, ZMapp, Remdesivir and Regeneron, according to the Ministry of Health of Congo.
To date, more than 160 people have been treated with these experimental drugs. Patients will no longer be treated differently than before, but scientists will now have a clinical trial framework to collect data on all three antibody treatments and the antiviral.
The Ministry of Health of Congo announced that the clinical trial began last week in Beni with Zmapp, mAb 114 and Remdesivir. The test could be extended to other sites and include the fourth drug, he said. The number of patients participating "will depend on the evolution of the epidemic and the willingness of patients to participate".
The Congo, with poor infrastructure, presents a difficult environment to administer these treatments. ZMapp is difficult to use. it takes three infusions, given over hours. If patients are treated with Remdesivir, their liver function should be analyzed regularly.
Data collected on the North Kivu epidemic being insufficient to conduct a comprehensive study, the ministry said the clinical trial could extend over five years and cover several Ebola outbreaks in many countries.
So far in the current outbreak in Congo, there have been 365 confirmed cases of Ebola with 189 deaths, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Health on Sunday.
"Our country is too often struck by Ebola outbreaks, which also means we have unique expertise to fight it," said Congo's Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga. "These trials will contribute to the acquisition of this knowledge, while continuing to intervene on all fronts to put an end to the current epidemic."
It is the tenth largest outbreak in Congo since the virus was identified in the country in 1976. The outbreak was affected by security concerns. Health workers were attacked by rebels in districts where the virus was spreading.
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