DR Congo Launches Ebola Prevention Drug Trial

The Democratic Republic of Congo has commenced a trial for an experimental antiviral pill designed to prevent Ebola, particularly targeting the rare Bundibugyo strain for which no licensed vaccine currently exists. The trial began in July and aims to recruit nearly 1,000 participants, including adults and children over the age of 12, who have come into contact with a confirmed Ebola case within the last five days but show no symptoms.

Participants will be monitored daily for 21 days, followed by a final check-in after 42 days. Investigating physician Jacques Zawadi reported that participants expressed satisfaction with the trial process.

Since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, DR Congo has recorded at least 8,300 confirmed cases and approximately 4,000 deaths. Health authorities have also started vaccinating health workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which has shown effectiveness in previous Ebola outbreaks, although its efficacy against the Bundibugyo strain is still under investigation.