Peter Piot’s research focuses primarily on the clinical, microbiological, epidemiological and health-policy aspects of infectious diseases, particularly sexually transmitted infections. In 1976, Piot, together with colleagues in Belgium, succeeded in isolating the highly contagious and often fatal Ebola virus. This was done using samples that the physician Jean-Jacques Muyembe, who is now also being honoured, had collected during his investigations into the first documented outbreak of haemorrhagic fever in Zaire and had also sent to laboratories in the USA and Belgium. This ultimately led to the discovery of the previously unknown pathogen; the related Marburg virus had already been discovered in 1967, when researchers were seeking the cause of mysterious cases of illness in the German university town of Marburg.
With the isolation of the Ebola virus, named after a river, prevention and public-awareness measures could be introduced at the time. These ultimately made it possible to contain the first known Ebola epidemics in the Congo Basin and in Sudan. The largest and most severe outbreak to date began in 2014 in south-eastern Guinea, spread across several countries in West Africa and lasted until 2016. More than 28,000 people fell ill, and more than 11,000 of them died. A new vaccine helped to end that epidemic and subsequent ones, but doctors cannot currently rely on it: in mid-May 2026, the World Health Organization declared an epidemic in the DRC and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern”. In this case, the Ebola pathogen is the rare Bundibugyo species — the vaccine must therefore be adapted accordingly.
For the Virchow Foundation, the work of the two prizewinners exemplifies cross-border and inclusive cooperation in global health. Across geographical, institutional and disciplinary boundaries, Piot and Muyembe have helped to improve understanding of epidemics and to combat them more effectively. Their work demonstrates the importance of international solidarity, shared responsibility and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in order to address health crises fairly and sustainably, according to a statement by the Virchow Foundation, whose five founders include the Berlin publisher Friede Springer and former Leopoldina President Gerald Haug.
Even after the discovery of the Ebola pathogen — five virus species are now distinguished — Piot remained committed to tackling global health crises. In the 1980s, he led research projects on HIV/AIDS in Africa and played a key role in the first major international HIV/AIDS project in a developing country: “SIDA” in Zaire. Among the important findings was the recognition that a mother can infect her child. The risk exists during pregnancy, at birth or through breastfeeding; today, transmission can be prevented through appropriate treatment.
Peter Piot’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and global health governance is also particularly noteworthy. As the founding Executive Director of UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, he brought together UN organisations involved in the fight against AIDS. Under his leadership, UNAIDS became a central actor and advocate for global measures against HIV/AIDS.
Peter Piot obtained a doctorate in medicine from Ghent University and a doctorate in microbiology from the University of Antwerp. He worked, among other places, at the University of Nairobi and the Free University of Brussels, and was active for the World Health Organization (WHO). From 1995 to 2008, he headed the United Nations organisation UNAIDS and was also an Under-Secretary-General. Since 2010, he has been Professor of Global Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, of which he was Director from 2010 to 2021. In 2018, he was admitted to the Leopoldina.
With the Virchow Prize, Piot, together with Muyembe, receives one of the world’s most highly endowed medical awards. In conferring the prize, the Virchow Foundation recognises exceptional achievements by outstanding individuals and organisations that make a lasting contribution to global health and support the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. The prize was awarded for the first time in 2022; this year, the award ceremony will take place on 10 October at the Rotes Rathaus in Berlin.