WHO launches first Bundibugyo Ebola drug trials in DR Congo - DongA Science

• Genmab's epcoritamab showed successful results in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), while BRUKINSA achieved a win in treating mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). • The FDA approved Tregzi for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), providing a critical new tool for patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

• A randomized platform trial has launched in the Democratic Republic of Congo to evaluate therapies for the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola with no existing licensed vaccines or treatments. • The study tests whether the monoclonal antibody MBP134, the antiviral drug remdesivir, or a combination of both can improve survival rates across patients of all ages.

• A study published in Nature Health on June 15, 2026, reveals that new antidepressant prescriptions in England have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. • The research analyzed primary care dispensing data spanning from 2019 to 2024 to track prescribing trends across the country.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a clinical trial for two Ebola therapeutics in the Democratic Republic of Congo, enrolling the first patient this Thursday. • The trial aims to reduce mortality rates during an outbreak that began in May and has already resulted in 1,406 confirmed cases and 438 deaths.

• Tuberculosis cases in the U.S. reached a 14-year high in 2024 and remain elevated in 2025, sparking alarm among public health experts. • The surge is attributed to critical gaps in screening and underfunded contact tracing, which leave vulnerable communities exposed to the disease.

• The U.S. healthcare system is facing a potential crisis as a Supreme Court ruling could pave the way for mass deportations. • Experts warn that these deportations would exacerbate existing staffing shortfalls in hospitals and emergency rooms, with the long-term healthcare sector expected to suffer the most significant disruptions.

• The FDA updated a Salmonella outbreak warning on June 30, 2026, reporting 119 illnesses across 36 states, including 32 hospitalizations. • The expanded recall now includes products from TNVitamins, Live it Up, Doctor's Pride, and Why Not Natural.

• The PARTNERS clinical trial has officially opened patient enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify the first effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus (BVD). • This international effort focuses on evaluating potential therapies for Ebola disease specifically caused by the BVD strain, utilizing facilities like the ALIMA Ebola Treatment Centre.

• A recent Ebola outbreak highlighted critical failures in early detection after weeks were wasted testing for the wrong viral strain. • Infectious disease experts Krutika Kuppalli and Placide Mbala argue that the inability to rapidly identify the specific pathogen hindered effective containment efforts.

• On June 2, 2026, the FDA approved ensitrelvir for the post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in patients aged 12 years and older. • The regulatory decision follows positive results from phase 3 clinical trials, confirming the drug's efficacy in preventing infection.

• The United States risks losing its official measles-free status, which it has maintained since 2000, following a surge to 2,134 cases in 2026. • The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will conduct a formal review in November 2026 to determine if the country still meets elimination criteria.