A Liberian doctor has died despite taking an experimental anti-Ebola drug, Liberia’s information minister announced.
Abraham Borbor was one of three doctors in Liberia who had been given ZMapp and were showing signs of recovery.
ZMapp has been credited with helping several patients recover, including two US doctors.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Monday it has sent protective equipment for medical staff to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where authorities have confirmed two cases of Ebola in a remote area.
“The ministry of health has declared an outbreak and we are treating it as such,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told Reuters in Geneva in response to a query.
The Democratic Republic of Congo declared an Ebola outbreak in its northern Equateur province on Sunday after two of eight patients tested for the virus came back positive, Health Minister Felix Kabange Numbi said
Australia gives $1 million to WHO as the first confirmed British Ebola patient arrives in London
According to reports, Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop said in a statement that Australia will contribute to support countries affected by Ebola. The funds will be used to purchase the urgently needed medical supplies and equipment.
Japan offers influenza drug as possible Ebola treatment
A possible treatment for the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak has been put forward by Japan’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga.
Suga said the drug favipiravir which was developed by the Toyama Chemical Company to treat influenza, could be used to treat Ebola because the diseases were similar.
He added that the company has enough stock of the drug to treat 20,000 patients, but the decision on using it would have to be taken by the World Health Organisation.
In another development, Benin has postponed the All African Ministers of Health conference over ebola which, was scheduled next month.
Benin Government spokesman said the conference is not timely due to the current epidemic in the region.
