WHO trials Ebola treatments in DR Congo amid ongoing outbreak
The World Health Organisation has launched the PARTNERS trial in the Democratic Republic of Congo to test two experimental treatments—monoclonal antibody "MBP134" and antiviral "remdesivir"—for "Bundibugyo virus disease", a rare form of Ebola. The study, which began enrolling patients on Thursday, is coordinated by DRC’s Institut National pour la Recherche Biomédicale, Belgium’s Institute of Tropical Medicine and the University of Oxford, with support from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak has infected more than 1,400 people, killing about 440 and leaving 210 recovered, yet no approved medicines exist specifically for this "Ebola" strain. Researchers will also assess whether combining the two drugs improves outcomes, using an adaptive design that allows adding new treatments as evidence emerges. For Nigerians, the trial underscores the regional threat of Ebola variants and the importance of rapid, locally‑led research that could yield treatments usable across Africa. It also highlights the role of Africa‑backed initiatives in strengthening outbreak response. With no licensed vaccine or drug for Bundibugyo virus, staying informed through official health advisories and avoiding non‑essential travel to affected areas remain prudent steps. Will increased African‑led clinical trials improve the continent’s readiness to tackle future Ebola outbreaks?