WHO approves the use of experimental drugs against Ebola

The World Health Organization says it is "ethical and moral imperative" to use drugs not tested in human Ebola 


A committee of experts on ethical issues of the World Health Organization (WHO) decided after a two-day meeting in Geneva that due to exceptional lascaracterísticas Ebola epidemic in West Africa, may administer medication not approved for this disease.

"We are in the midst of the worst epidemic of Ebola since the disease made its appearance forty years ago, with more cases and further spread in previous outbreaks. However, now there are a number of medications that can be effective against it ", told reporters the assistant director general of the WHO, Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny.

"The ethics committee of WHO approved this morning, to unanimity, the use of these unapproved drugs to treat or try to prevent the disease under the following conditions: transparency about treatment, patient consent, confidentiality, dignity and respect for people and communities, "said Kieny.

Kieny said that "the experts agree on the need to save time and do not lose hope that existing medications can help fight this epidemic because if a number of drugs and vaccines has shown positive results in animals can also be effective in man. "

The experts also agreed that the issue planned in the agenda of this meeting on countries or individuals who receive these treatments in priority would be treated at a later meeting could take place in late August in Geneva, said the WHO representative.

"No one can say how much or when these drugs are available but we have to move forward and allow the use in humans to help people affected by this epidemic," Kieny said.

Currently there is no specific treatment or vaccine against haemorrhagic fever caused by the Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with blood and body fluids of infected people or animals.

In recent days, several countries have expressed their desire to use the experimental antibody called "ZMapp" developed in a private laboratory in the United States and never tested on humans except in two infected in Liberia and a Spanish priest now deceased Americans.


At last count WHO, Ebola has already caused 1013 deaths and has infected 1848 people. Between 7 and 9 August 52 deaths and 69 new cases were reported. The most affected country is Liberia with 29 deaths in the last two days, followed by Sierra Leone and Guinea with 17 6 ​​victims.