One Liberian doctor has died despite taking ZMapp (8/25/14)

According to a BBC post, one of the three Liberian medical personnel given ZMapp, the new anti-Ebola Virus medicine, has died:

"A Liberian doctor has died despite taking an experimental anti-Ebola drug, Liberia's information minister says. Abraham Borbor was one of three doctors in Liberia who had been given ZMapp and were showing signs of recovery. ZMapp has been credited with helping several patients recover, including two US doctors."

According to current imperfect information, ZMapp has been administered to at least 6 individuals: Two have fully recovered (the Americans who were flown to Emory University Hospital); two have shown improvement, one doctor has died, and an elderly Spanish priest has died. The fatality rate of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is estimated to be around 70%.

Once the shortage of ZMapp is alleviated, a patient is expected to receive multiple doses. It is highly likely that Dr. Borbor (and the Spanish priest) received a single dose; it is possible that multiple doses would have helped him. As mentioned previously, it is difficult to assess accurately the efficacy of ZMapp because the drug is not being compared to a placebo as part of a blinded clinical trial. Given the circumstances (i.e. desperation), it is highly unlikely that such a trial would take place; rather the drug efficacy can be estimated from the recovery rate of those who have received ZMapp treatment.