The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with a severe outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain a rare and deadly variant of the virus. With no approved treatment available, scientists are racing against time to test two experimental drugs in a desperate bid to save lives. The outbreak, declared a public health emergency on 17 May has already claimed 625 lives out of 1,792 confirmed cases as of 9 July.
The situation on the ground is dire. In Bunia the capital of Ituri province residents like Neema Haba a mother of three, are feeling the economic strain. “Financially, we are being driven to the brink by this outbreak,” she said. “We are struggling to provide for our children.” The outbreak is not only a health crisis but also a humanitarian one, with frontline workers facing dangerous conditions and community mistrust.
The race to find effective treatments
The Partners treatment trial sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) has enrolled its first patients in a record six weeks. The trial is testing two drugs: remdesivir an antiviral developed by Gilead Sciences and MBP134 a monoclonal antibody cocktail from Mapp Biopharmaceutical. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either drug, a combination of both, or standard supportive care.
“These two drugs have been proven to work against the Bundibugyo virus in animal models,” said Prof Laurens Liesenborghs of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp. “They showed great efficacy, but now we need to test it in humans. Basically, what we want to see is if they indeed can lower mortality.” The trial is designed to be flexible, allowing for additional treatments to be added as they become available.
The challenges on the ground
Despite the rapid response, the outbreak is far from under control. The Bundibugyo strain, while typically less deadly than the Zaire strain still kills about one in three infected individuals. The response efforts are hampered by low trust in authorities, a highly mobile population, and shortages of essential equipment, including personal protective wear and vehicles for transporting bodies.
Frontline workers like Ovide Maliabo a driver for a burial team in Rwampara face dangerous conditions. “At one point, we narrowly escaped being lynched,” he said. “It’s a shame that we aren’t being financially supported.” The lack of pay has led some workers to protest, further complicating the response efforts.
The hope for the future
The trial’s design allows for the inclusion of all age groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, who are often excluded from medical research. “We always think of risk-benefit,” said Liesenborghs. “Here the benefit is potentially very high because you offer a potentially life-saving treatment to someone who has a very high chance of dying.” The trial is a collaborative effort, with strong scientific leadership in the DRC playing a vital role.
As the world watches, the outcome of these trials could not only save lives in the current outbreak but also pave the way for better preparedness in future Ebola crises. The international community is hopeful that these efforts will yield positive results, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing battle against this deadly virus.
