Researchers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have launched a clinical trial of two experimental Ebola treatments at the epicentre of the outbreak, with the study beginning in early July at a treatment centre in Bunia, Ituri province.
The urgency of the trial reflects the still-growing outbreak, which has already killed hundreds of people in eastern Congo. Local citizens are pinning hopes on these unproven therapies as the health crisis deepens.
The study is being conducted at the Ebola treatment centre inside Bunia's Evangelical Medical Centre. The launch was marked by urgency rather than ceremony on Thursday, as ambulances continued to arrive with new patients.
If proven effective, the treatments could offer new tools to combat the virus and help stem the spread. However, results are not expected for several weeks or months.
The outbreak has overwhelmed local health systems and strained resources, with aid workers struggling to contain the disease in a region plagued by conflict and mistrust.