Abstract

The current unprecedented Ebola virus disease outbreak in parts of west Africa, which has caused more than 11 200 deaths, has emphasised how the medical and scientific communities lack specific pathways for tackling relevant logistical, design, and ethical issues for assessment of novel diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines through implementation of appropriate clinical trials.1,2 The phenomenal outbreak arose because of several weaknesses in local, regional, and international public health responses, which delayed provision and implementation of effective interventions.