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STORY: WHO / DRC EBOLA TREATMENT
TRT: 02:33
SOURCE: WHO
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 02 JULY 2026, PROVINCIAL PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY, BUNIA, ITURI PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)
1. Wide shot, health workers in a laboratory setting
2. Various shots
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Head of Epidemiology and Global Health Division, and Director of Clinical Research, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
“We are launching PARTNERS at a time when communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing another outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease. Our first priority is, and always will be, the patients, families and healthcare workers affected by this disease.”
4. Med shot, health workers in a laboratory setting
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Head of Epidemiology and Global Health Division, and Director of Clinical Research, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
“Through this trial, we hope to generate the evidence needed to improve care and save lives, while supporting the ongoing outbreak response.”
6. Med shot, health workers in a laboratory setting
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Head of Epidemiology and Global Health Division, and Director of Clinical Research, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
“It brings together national institutions, international organisations, researchers, clinicians and communities with a shared purpose.”
8. Med shot, health workers in a laboratory setting
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Head of Epidemiology and Global Health Division, and Director of Clinical Research, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
“It recognises the leadership of the countries and scientists who face these outbreaks and who are central to finding solutions. Research is not separate from patient care. Good research strengthens clinical care, informs public health action, and leaves countries better prepared for future outbreaks.”
10. Close up, red signage
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Professor Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Head of Epidemiology and Global Health Division, and Director of Clinical Research, National Institute of Biomedical Research, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
“Every patient who participates in this study is contributing not only to their own community, but to knowledge that could benefit people across Africa and around the world.”
12. Close up, green signage
In a major international effort to evaluate potential treatments for Ebola disease due to Bundibugyo virus (BVD), the PARTNERS clinical trial has opened enrolment today for patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The PARTNERS (Platform Adaptive Randomised Trial for New and Repurposed Filovirus TreatmentS) trial will assess whether two antiviral therapies – a monoclonal antibody (MBP134) and remdesivir – can improve survival among people diagnosed with BVD. It will also evaluate whether combining the two antivirals provides additional benefits.
The trial, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been coordinated by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Belgium, and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with international research, clinical and humanitarian partners, and supported by Africa CDC.
Since the start of the outbreak, over 1400 people have been diagnosed with BVD, nearly 210 people have recovered and nearly 440 people have died of the disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While effective treatments have been developed for Ebola virus disease, none are currently approved for Bundibugyo virus disease, and no treatment has been shown to work across all virus types that cause Ebola diseases.
