The World Health Organization has launched the first clinical trial of an antiviral drug designed to prevent infection from the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. The trial began on Tuesday in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where an outbreak of this Ebola strain is currently occurring.
The trial is being conducted as the outbreak continues to spread beyond established transmission chains and outpace response efforts in the region. The antiviral being tested represents a new approach to managing Ebola exposure, focusing on prevention rather than treatment of already-infected individuals.
The Bundibugyo strain is one of several known Ebola virus species. This marks the first time an antiviral has entered clinical testing specifically for prevention against this particular strain.
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