EBO-PEP

Protecting close contacts at high risk of developing a filovirus disease

About the EBO-PEP project

The aim of the EBO-PEP project is to strengthen the capacity to combat filovirus diseases (Ebola, Marburg) by assessing the effectiveness of a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) strategy among contacts at high risk of developing the disease.

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The EBO-PEP project aims to:

1

To set up a randomised, controlled platform trial, following a master protocol, across several African countries to test and compare the efficacy of different treatments used as a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) strategy for contacts at high risk of filovirus disease (FVD).

The first implementation of the EBO-PEP trial involves the evaluation of the experimental antiviral obeldesivir as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV). This evaluation is being carried out as part of a dedicated sub-protocol, entitled EBO-PEP ODV-BDBV.

2

To build the capacity of clinical researchers and to increase the community’s knowledge of and engagement with research into FVDs.

3

To define the best PEP strategy for high-risk contacts and to advocate for the implementation of PEP in countries affected by FVDs.

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Countries involved

The EBO-PEP trial is being first rolled out in response to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease outbreak declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in May 2026, at the heart of the areas affected by the virus’s transmission.

The EBO-PEP trial relies on national response mechanisms in place in countries facing an epidemic (in particular the DRC, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia), with operational support from the humanitarian organisations ALIMA and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The geographical scope of the trial may be extended to other countries depending on the emergence of future outbreaks.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) in numbers

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Number of known Ebola virus strains 1

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Number of countries with at least one reported case of Ebola*. 2

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Number of Ebola* epidemics worldwide since 1976 3
+ 0

Number of people who have died from Ebola* since its discovery in 1976 3, 4

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Number of people infected with Ebola* since its discovery in 1976 3, 4

*All strains combined

References

  1. World Health Organization. Maladie à virus Ebola [Internet]. Genève : WHO; 2025 [cité 2025 Nov 27]. Available at : https://www.who.int/fr/news‑room/fact‑sheets/detail/ebola‑disease
  2. Mercy Corps. African countries fighting Ebola outbreaks [Internet]. Mercy Corps; 2019 [cité 2025 Nov 27]. Available at : https://www.mercycorps.org/blog/ebola-outbreaks-africa-guide/chapter-3
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ebola (Ebola virus disease) — Outbreaks [Internet]. Atlanta (GA) : CDC; [cité 2025 Nov 27]. Available at : https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/outbreaks/index.html
  4. Barbiero VK. Ebola: A Hyperinflated Emergency. Glob Health Sci Pract. 2020 Jun 30;8(2):178-182. DOI: 10.9745/GHSP-D-19-00422. PMID: 32430358; PMCID: PMC7326525.

Funders

This project 101145675 – EBO-PEP – HORIZON-JU-GHEDCTP3-2023-01 is supported by the Global Health EDCTP3 partnership.