March 30, 2015

expert reaction to UK Ebola patient leaving hospital, and the experimental drug MIL 77

A UK military healthcare worker, Reservist Corporal Anna Cross, has today been discharged from the Royal Free hospital and declared free of Ebola after being the first person in the world to be treated using the experimental drug MIL 77.

Prof. Jonathan Ball, Professor of Molecular Virology, University of Nottingham, said:

“This is fantastic news that another individual admitted to the Royal Free has recovered from Ebolavirus infection – it’s a great testament to the outstanding expertise of the medical team and the first class facilities.

“She was given an experimental drug, but it is impossible to say whether or not this directly contributed to her clearing the virus. In order to know whether a drug does work we need experimental trials and thankfully trials of various drugs are underway in West Africa, where Ebolavirus is still doggedly clinging on.”

Declared interests

None declared