DRC Approves Use Of Experimental Ebola Drugs As 5 New Possible Cases Identified

CIDRAP News: DRC probes 5 new possible Ebola cases; WHO details experimental drugs
“Outbreak responders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are investigating five more suspected Ebola cases, as two more patients died from their infections and the World Health Organization (WHO) shared more details about how experimental treatments will be used and studied among those sickened by the virus. … The developments raise the outbreak total to 58, which includes 37 confirmed, 14 probable, and seven suspected cases. The two new fatalities lift the number of deaths to 27…” (Schnirring, 6/6).

CNN: Experimental drugs approved for use in Congo Ebola outbreak
“Five experimental drugs have been approved for use on patients in the Ebola outbreak underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The treatments were allowed Monday by a Congo ethics committee on the grounds of compassionate use…” (Senthilingam, 6/6).

The Hill: Ebola outbreak appears to be slowing in Congo as vaccines spread
“Early signs suggest that an Ebola outbreak in Congo, which has killed 27 people since erupting in a remote rural village two months ago, is being contained before it can spread further…” (Wilson, 6/6).

Wall Street Journal: Experimental Ebola Treatments Approved for the Democratic Republic of Congo
“…The experimental treatments — only two of which have been tested in humans — could bring another major change to the world’s response to Ebola, which killed more than 11,300 people across West Africa between 2014 and 2016 and is deadly for one in two people who catch it…” (Bariyo, 6/6).

Xinhua News: New test drugs to be used to treat Ebola in DRC: WHO
“…Clinicians working in the treatment centers will make decisions on which drug to use as deemed helpful for their patients, and appropriate for the setting. The treatments can be used as long as informed consent is obtained from patients and protocols are followed, with close monitoring and reporting of any adverse events…” (6/7).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.