Scientists in the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun enrolling participants in a clinical trial that will test the effectiveness of the experimental antiviral obeldesivir as a post-exposure treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The study, run by Congolese and French research institutions with backing from humanitarian groups ALIMA and Doctors Without Borders, is centered in Ituri province, the heart of the ongoing Ebola outbreak. Researchers aim to enroll roughly 1,000 people age 12 and older who had high-risk contact with confirmed cases but haven’t yet shown symptoms. The participants will be tracked for 21 days with a follow-up at day 42. Separate compassionate-use protocols will provide remdesivir to exposed children under 12 and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
CNBC Africa