Experimental Drug May be Helping Ebola-stricken U.S. Aid Workers

Nancy Writebol is on her way to a special isolation ward at Atlanta's Emory University Hospital
Nancy Writebol is on her way to a special isolation ward at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital

US aid workers who contracted Ebola in Liberia appear to be improving after receiving an experimental drug, officials have said.

But it is not clear if the ZMapp drug, which has only been tested on monkeys, can be credited with their improvement.

Dr Kent Brantly was flown home for treatment on Saturday and his colleague Nancy Writebol left Liberia in the early hours of Tuesday.

Since February, 887 people have died of Ebola in four West African countries.

The World Bank is allocating $200m (£120m) in emergency assistance for countries battling to contain the Ebola outbreak.

It is the world’s deadliest outbreak to date and has centred on Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. There have also been two cases in the Nigerian city of Lagos, where another eight people are currently in quarantine.

The virus spreads by contact with infected blood and bodily fluids and the current outbreak is killing between 50% and 60% of people infected.

There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola – but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment.

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SOURCE: BBC News

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