As Ebola cases reach more than 1000, the Democratic Republic of Congo is seeking an experimental drug to at least contain the fast spreading disease.

Congo reported 121 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 confirmed deaths as of May 26, while suspected cases climbed to 1,077 and suspected deaths reached 238, according to health ministry figures released Wednesday.

Sixteen new infections were recorded in Ituri province alone, the ministry said.

According to experts, the experimental Ebola drugs, such as the antibody cocktail MBP134 and the antiviral obeldesivir, are currently being evaluated to combat ongoing outbreaks (particularly the Bundibugyo strain in the DRC).

The experimental drugs work by either neutralizing the virus with antibodies or inhibiting its replication, aiming to prevent or treat infection.

Access to experimental Ebola drugs is strictly regulated. Treatment and access are typically coordinated globally through the WHO and local health ministries, such as the Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Understanding the Trial Drugs 

This is an antibody cocktail isolated from the blood of an Ebola survivor. It is designed to be pan-ebolavirus (targeting Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo strains) and is currently in development/compassionate use for severe cases.

The Obeldesivir drug is an experimental oral antiviral by Gilead Sciences that is being explored by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a post-exposure prophylactic treatment.

Meanwhile, the Remdesivir is another broad-spectrum antiviral that is actively being studied for its efficacy against various Ebola strains.