Japan offers to provide Ebola drug to victims of the virus

by Kolapo Olapoju

 

Japan has offered to provide anti-influenza drug as treatment for victims of the Ebola virus disease.

This was disclosed yesterday by Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, after a group of scientists in the United Kingdom announced its discovery of the root of the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus.

According to the group of scientists, the Ebola outbreak, which is the largest ever, was caused by an infected fruit bat that bit a toddler.

Whle speaking to the press in Tokyo, Suga said his country was ready to release the drug whenever the World Health Organisation requests it. The drug ‘Favipiravir’, a tablet developed for the treatment of novel and re-emerging influenza viruses, was developed by Toyama Chemical, a subsidiary of Fujifilm.

Suga added that despite the fact that Japan was waiting for WHO’s decision on use of untested drug, the Asian country may respond to individual requests in case of an emergency.

Meanwhile, Takao Aoki, the spokesperson for Fujifilm, said talks have begun with the United States on how the drug could be used in treating the virus.

He said, “Fujifilm is in talks with the US Food and Drug Administration on clinical testing of the drug in treating Ebola, The company has Favipiravir stock for more than 20,000 patients. Ebola and influenza viruses are the same type and theoretically similar effects can be expected on Ebola.”

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