WorldPBSInside the study for a remedy to fight Congo's deadliest Ebola outbreak
A drug trial testing an antiviral pill to prevent Ebola has enrolled more than 250 people in Congo, where the outbreak has already killed 4,000 people since May.
The drug is targeted at Bundibugyo virus, which is responsible for the fast-moving outbreak and is without an approved vaccine or treatment. The trial began in July and is one of several studies launched to find some protection and another way of at least slowing the outbreak.
More than 250 people have enrolled in a drug trial in eastern Congo testing whether an antiviral pill can prevent Ebola from developing after exposure.
The trial is testing Gilead's experimental pill obeldesivir, targeting the Bundibugyo virus strain, which has no approved vaccine or treatment and has caused at least 4,000 deaths since May.
Experts describe the trial as a critical step, as the outbreak has spread to seven provinces and continues to outpace efforts to track and contain it, authorities say.
The trial is testing Gilead's obeldesivir pill given after suspected exposure to stop the disease developing, a method called post-exposure prophylaxis, with results still pending.
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