August 15, 2019

Anna Murray 

On August 12, scientists announced that two experimental treatments, REGN-EB3 and mAb-114, showed great effect in curing the Ebola patients. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals of Tarrytown, N.Y., makes REGN-EB3, while mAb114 is developed by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. From infusing the combinations of monoclonal antibodies into the patients’ blood through veins, the doctors found about 90 percent of patients could get cured.

Between 2014 and 2016 broke out in West Africa, killing more than 11,300 people and causing global fear. Later in Congo, only 1000 among 2800 patients were cured. This July the World Health Organization even regarded it as a public health emergency which requires international concern.

Daniel Bausch, virologist and director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, led his team to make contribution to the Congo drug trial. He and Fauci were both very happy about the result since they knew the development of a drug takes decades long and millions of dollars. The two new drugs mean they can increase speed in the study of Ebola.

Photo:Webshot.