Ebola pill shows promise in animal studies

A new study suggests that Ebola could potentially be treated with a pill. Researchers tested an antiviral drug called obeldesivir in monkeys and found it effective against the deadly virus. This could change how Ebola outbreaks are managed. Obeldesivir is an oral pill that does not need refrigeration. This makes it easier to distribute, especially in remote areas. Currently, the approved treatments are monoclonal antibody infusions, which require hospital visits. In laboratory tests, the pill showed a 100% success rate in one type of monkey and an 80% success rate in another. The treatment cleared the virus from the bloodstream and helped the immune system produce protective antibodies. Ebola is known for severe symptoms, including vomiting and bleeding. Since its discovery in 1976, the virus has caused many outbreaks. The worst occurred between 2014 and 2016, infecting over 28,000 people and killing more than 11,000 in West Africa. The researchers hope to start clinical trials soon. If successful, this pill could be the first oral treatment for Ebola, making it much easier to manage outbreaks in the future.