Drug to fight Ebola virus shows promise

A study published in The Lancet medical journal reports that researchers were able to cure monkeys infected with Ebola virus. Of 12 monkeys infected with a high dose of the virus, 3 survived. Scientists have been able in the past to cure infected mice, but this is the first study to report success with monkeys. Doctors plan to try the experimental drug on humans.

An outbreak of Ebola began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in October; the country's last outbreak was in February 2003.