DR Congo Ebola death toll hits 600 as health workers strike over pay

DR Congo Ebola death toll hits 600 as health workers strike over pay

The death toll from the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 600, according to government data released Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 1,759. In the 24 hours preceding the report, health authorities recorded 51 new cases and 20 deaths.

The outbreak, declared on May 15, 2026, is the country’s 17th. It has affected 37 health zones in three provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. According to health authorities, 750 patients are currently in isolation or hospitalization, with an overall bed occupancy rate of 94 percent. The virus, which involves the Bundibugyo strain, had been spreading undetected for weeks through the mining towns of Mongbwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia before the World Health Organization declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May.

Efforts to contain the disease are facing significant disruption as healthcare workers in Ituri, the hardest-hit province, have begun walking off the job to protest delayed wages and bonuses. Front-line staff — including safety and security teams, those performing community outreach, and those burying patients — claim they have not been paid since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Although no official strike has been declared, some staff members ceased operations by Tuesday, July 7, after issuing an official notice threatening a strike if wages were not paid within 24 hours.

"Since the Ebola virus disease outbreak was declared, we've been demanding payment for our work."

The labor dispute escalated on Monday, July 6, when some workers organized a protest outside the Rwampara Ebola treatment center and set tires alight, causing a brief panic. In addition to payment grievances, staff reported operating with limited gear and being treated unfairly by authorities and response teams. Dr. Ghislain Maneba, an epidemiologist in the Rwampara health zone, stated: "I came here to save people’s lives, but this is how I am being thanked. We are working day and night without being paid."

Akilimali Pierre, incident manager at the National Institute of Public Health, attributed the payment delays to logistical complications.

"The fact that Bunia airport is closed is hampering the very implementation of the response, particularly certain aspects of the flow of funds. This is one of the reasons that may account for the delay in payment."

The situation remains volatile, with staff facing additional challenges including skepticism from residents and physical attacks. Dr. Ben Bakule, a community investigator, described the strain on workers:

"We spend money on transport to get to work. We thought we'd be rewarded. At the moment, nothing is going right because we're not being paid. We don't deserve this sort of treatment. We might have to give up our jobs. These are risks we're taking. We risk dying for nothing. This government wants this epidemic to continue."

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is generally considered less deadly than some other strains, but there is currently no approved vaccine. While enrollment for clinical trials for a treatment is underway, government officials face mounting pressure from residents to resolve the strike. Health authorities are also monitoring two suspected cases in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, which are currently being validated and are not yet included in the official national count.