At least 2,011 people have been infected with Ebola in eastern Congo, including 754 deaths, as the outbreak spreads faster than health officials can track, with 80% of new cases emerging from unknown chains of transmission, according to the World Health Organization.
Health workers at Bunia General Hospital in Ituri province, one of the hardest-hit areas in eastern Congo, went on strike on July 15, joining others across the region who have refused to work until they receive unpaid salaries and bonuses. The strike comes as the Ebola outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, continues to outpace containment efforts despite expanded response measures.
Outbreak Spreads Beyond Control
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 80% of new Ebola cases in eastern Congo are emerging from unknown chains of transmission, with many patients dying in their communities without ever reaching a health facility. “Perhaps the most alarming finding is that many of the newly reported deaths are people who died in their communities without ever reaching a health facility and without receiving care,” said Chikwe Ihekweazu, after returning from a visit to Bunia.
As of Monday, at least 1,926 people have been infected, with 702 deaths in three provinces, according to Congolese authorities. However, the WHO estimates the outbreak is at least two to four times larger than official figures suggest, with many cases unrecorded. “The scale of the outbreak is at least two to four times the number of cases that we have found,” Ihekweazu said.
Health officials face multiple challenges, including a funding shortfall. The WHO received less than half of the $115 million (around €100 million) needed in the first six months to combat the outbreak, according to Ihekweazu. “This outbreak requires resources that match the scale of the challenges that we are facing. And this is not a burden DRC can be allowed to carry alone,” he said.
Strikes and Unpaid Workers Hinder Response
Dozens of healthcare workers at an Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, Ituri province, went on strike on Monday over unpaid salaries and bonuses, shutting down the facility and blocking access to patients.
The strike at Rwampara General Hospital follows similar actions at other facilities, including Bunia General Hospital, where workers barricaded the entrance on Wednesday, demanding payment for months of unpaid work. “We don’t know how it is possible to not have been paid for two months,” said Bahati Claude, a health worker at the hospital. “We don’t want to give up the job.”
Congolese authorities have acknowledged the payroll issues, with Health Minister Roger Kamba stating that the government is verifying a list of those working to control the outbreak. “We must ensure that these payments reach the right people,” Kamba said, adding that some unrelated names had been added to the payroll, causing delays.
Funding Gaps and Resource Shortfalls
The WHO and local authorities face a severe funding gap, with the agency receiving less than half of the $115 million required to address the crisis. Ihekweazu emphasized that the outbreak demands resources proportional to its scale, noting that “this is not a burden DRC can be allowed to carry alone.”
Meanwhile, the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain has complicated response efforts. Unlike the more common Zaire virus, which has a vaccine, the Bundibugyo strain has no approved therapies, leaving healthcare workers reliant on supportive care such as intravenous fluids and oxygen.
The outbreak has also been exacerbated by ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, which has displaced communities and disrupted contact tracing. “The outbreak continues to outpace response efforts by the national authorities, international partners, including WHO, and the communities most affected,” Ihekweazu said, highlighting the challenges of tracking infections in a region with high mobility and limited infrastructure.
International Travel Restrictions and Global Concerns
The WHO has warned that the situation requires urgent global attention, with Ihekweazu stating that “our best efforts … we have not caught up in the race.”
The coming weeks will be critical for containing the outbreak. Health workers in Bunia and Ituri must resolve their payment disputes to ensure uninterrupted care, while the WHO and international partners must address the funding shortfall. Without significant intervention, the outbreak could continue to grow, with the risk of further transmission both within Congo and beyond.
For now, the situation remains dire. “This outbreak requires resources that match the scale of the challenges that we are facing,” Ihekweazu said, echoing the urgent calls for action from health officials and local communities alike.
Find more reporting in our Health section.
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