Clinical Trial of Drug for Bundibugyo Virus Underway in DRC

On October 2, 2026, amid an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a clinical trial for the experimental antiviral drug Obeldesivir is in progress.

Key Facts

Drug Trial: The trial for Obeldesivir is being conducted in Ituri Province in eastern DRC, enrolling over 250 individuals.
Role of the Drug: Obeldesivir is an oral antiviral drug being tested as Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for high-risk individuals who have come into contact with infected patients.
Virus: The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which no approved specific vaccine or treatment currently exists.
Epicenter: Ituri Province in eastern DRC is the primary epicenter of this outbreak.
Cases and Fatalities: Since the declaration of the outbreak in May 2026, over 8,300 cases and approximately 4,000 deaths have been recorded.
Outbreak Start: The Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak in May 2026.