Trial for Ebola Drug Underway in Congo Amid Outbreak

RWAMPARA, Congo (AP) — More than 250 participants have been enrolled in a trial for a drug aimed at preventing Ebola infection in Congo, which has been described as a critical step in addressing the deadliest outbreak of the disease in the Central African country. The drug targets the Bundibugyo virus, responsible for the outbreak, which currently lacks an approved vaccine or treatment. The trial commenced in July and is one of several studies initiated to find protective measures and methods to slow the outbreak. The Associated Press spoke this week with participants and doctors at the health center in Ituri, the epicenter of the outbreak. Participants include individuals who have been exposed to the virus, including health workers and relatives of patients. Since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, at least 8,300 confirmed cases and 4,000 deaths have been reported across seven provinces, outpacing efforts to track and control it, according to authorities. The trial is testing Gilead's experimental antiviral pill, obeldesivir, administered shortly after suspected contact with the virus to prevent disease development, a method known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). One participant, who enrolled in August after her husband tested positive for Ebola, reported that no family members have developed symptoms so far. She expressed concern about the risk of contamination due to her close contact with her husband. Another participant noted that two family members had contracted Ebola, one of whom died, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions. The trial, coordinated by ALIMA, a medical nonprofit, aims to recruit nearly 1,000 adults or children over the age of 12 who have had contact with a confirmed case within the last five days but show no symptoms. Half of the participants will receive a placebo. They will be monitored daily for 21 days, with a follow-up phone call after 42 days, according to Dr. Godefroid Basara, involved in the trial. ALIMA stated that if participants develop symptoms, they will receive supportive treatment, which is beneficial if symptoms are detected early. If the pill proves effective, it could help disrupt the transmission chain. Dr. Guilavogui Jean Paul Yassa, ALIMA's research coordinator, noted that the pill differs from vaccines, which take time to provide protection, and from curative treatments, as it is intended for asymptomatic individuals. Dr. Jacques Zawadi, an investigator at the trial center, mentioned challenges in encouraging participation from individuals living far from the center, particularly when they are emotionally affected by the loss of family members to the disease. The trial partners include Congo's National Institute of Biomedical Research and the French institute ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases. Meanwhile, Congo has begun vaccinating health workers with the Ervebo vaccine, which has been effective against previous Ebola outbreaks caused by a different virus. Authorities have indicated that Ervebo may offer some protection against Bundibugyo, but its efficacy in preventing illness is still under investigation. On Thursday, Doctors Without Borders reported that a staff member tested positive for Ebola and was being evacuated to the Netherlands. In June, a physician with ALIMA also tested positive after returning from a virus hotspot. The World Health Organization has stated that the outbreak continues to outpace containment efforts and is expected to surpass the West Africa outbreak from 2014 to 2016, which resulted in 11,000 deaths.