MUST READ: Ebola Drug Cures Infected Monkeys

According to BBC,  an experimental drug has cured monkeys infected with the Ebola virus, US-based scientists  disclosed.


 The treatment, known as TKM-Ebola-Guinea, targets the Makona strain of the virus, which caused the current deadly outbreak in West Africa.


 All three monkeys receiving the treatment were reported to be healthy when the trial ended after 28 days; three untreated monkeys died within nine days.


Scientists cautioned that the drug's efficacy has not been proven in humnas.


 Mr Geisbert said the drug, produced by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals, could be adapted to target any strain of Ebola and could be manufactured in as little as eight weeks. The drug works by blocking a particular genes, which stops the virus  from replicating.

 As at report time, there are no treatments or vaccines for Ebola that have been proven to work in humans. Results from human trials with the drugs are expected in the second half of this year.