DRC and Uganda to Test First Oral Ebola Prevention Drug

A trial is beginning in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda in which people exposed to Ebola virus will receive an oral antiviral medication. The study represents a historic first attempt to prevent Ebola infection with a tablet. The drug is intended for use against the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which no effective vaccine currently exists.

A trial is launching for the first time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, in which people exposed to Ebola virus will receive an oral antiviral medication. This represents a scientifically significant step that could fundamentally change how Ebola outbreaks are managed in the future.

Why the study matters

Until now, Ebola prevention has relied primarily on vaccines, but the currently circulating Bundibugyo virus strain is a notable exception — no effective vaccine exists against it. An oral antiviral drug would offer a new approach, enabling the protection of people who have been in close contact with infected individuals, even when a vaccine is unavailable.

How the study works

Study participants are people who have been exposed to the virus and are therefore at higher risk of infection. They will receive an oral medication to evaluate whether it can prevent disease development. This type of preventive treatment — known as post-exposure prophylaxis — has proven effective against various other diseases, including HIV.

Ebola and the Bundibugyo strain

Ebola is a deadly haemorrhagic fever that can cause severe symptoms and often proves fatal. The Bundibugyo strain was first identified in Uganda in 2007 and has caused multiple outbreaks in Central Africa. Because no suitable vaccine exists for this strain, the study is particularly important for both the local population and the international health community.