Encouraging results were seen in an Ebola candidate treatment in an early-stage trial with 80 patients in Guinea, with faster recovery rates reported.
Ebola Virus Disease | Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.
The French government said in a separate statement that faster recovery rates were reported among the 80 infected adults and children who received the drug.
The results "show a reduction in the number of deaths among adults and teenagers, with slower virus multiplication. Recovery is accelerated," said the Elysee palace.
World Support for Ebola: US$35 Million Funding from King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia
Zaire ebolavirus is commonly known as Ebola. It was previously known as ebola haemorrhagic fever and is a deadly human illness.
Zaire ebolavirus is commonly known as Ebola. It was previously known as ebola haemorrhagic fever and is a deadly human illness.
Inserm is in charge of the trial at a treatment centre in Gueckedou in the east of Guinea — one of the three countries, with Liberia and Sierra Leone, hardest hit by the outbreak.
Advertisements
Only a Third of Ebola Aid Pledges Delivered
Only about a third of the $2.89 billion in aid money pledged to fight the Ebola virus in west Africa was actually delivered, according to an analysis published by the British Medical Journal.
Only about a third of the $2.89 billion in aid money pledged to fight the Ebola virus in west Africa was actually delivered, according to an analysis published by the British Medical Journal.
It is the largest clinical trial yet with a candidate Ebola treatment, the French statement said.
Advertisements
Quiz on Ebola
Why is the deadly Ebola virus outbreak making the health experts hit the panic button? Find out from this quiz.
Why is the deadly Ebola virus outbreak making the health experts hit the panic button? Find out from this quiz.
Inserm said the scientific results will be made public once they have been officially reviewed and validated by the scientific community, which could happen by month’s end.
The drug has already been administered as an emergency treatment to patients evacuated from West Africa to Europe, though this was not part of an official trial.
It has commercial authorisation in Japan as a flu medicine, and large doses can be made quickly available — an advantage over other experimental treatments, like ZMapp, of which stocks are limited.
The Elysee said the results gave rise to "hope", but cautioned they have to be confirmed with a larger group of trial patients.
"These early results open new avenues for access to treatment in the fight against this disease," it said — adding the outcome will be discussed Thursday at a meeting between Guinean President Alpha Conde, Delfraissy and Levy.
There is as yet no licensed vaccine or treatment for Ebola. The WHO gave the green light last August for experimental treatment to be used in the current crisis, and several experimental drugs are being fast-tracked through the normally years-long trial process.
