New Ebola drug raises hope virus may soon be preventable, treatable

Fresh hope is on the horizon over the total eradication of the dreaded Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after a new drug developed to combat the illness showed a ‘90% survival rate’ in breakthrough trial.

Scientists have now raised fresh hope that Ebola may soon be a “preventable and treatable” disease after a trial of two drugs showed significantly improved survival rates.

According to the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which co-sponsored the trial, the results are “very good news” for the fight against Ebola.

READ ALSO: Saudi ignores plea by WHO, bans pilgrims, from DRC, 3 other countries over Ebola scare

They are the “first drugs that, in a scientifically sound study, have clearly shown a significant diminution in mortality” for Ebola patients, said Dr Anthony Fauci, director of NIAID.

Reports say the drugs will now be used to treat all patients with the disease in the DR Congo.

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