Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Running Africa) — The response to the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) escalating Ebola outbreak has suffered a major setback after healthcare workers at the Elikya Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia launched a strike over two months of unpaid bonuses, disrupting patient care in one of the country’s hardest-hit regions.
The industrial action comes as the DRC battles the largest and fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in its history, with the Ministry of Health reporting 2,973 confirmed cases and 1,309 deaths as of 24 July 2026.
The outbreak is being driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
Healthcare Workers Demand Overdue Payments
Approximately 100 doctors, nurses and support staff joined the strike, saying prolonged delays in receiving promised bonuses have undermined staff morale and weakened the country’s Ebola response.
The workers argue that frontline medical personnel continue to face extraordinary risks while caring for infected patients, yet many have not received the financial support they were promised.
The strike has disrupted operations at one of the region’s key Ebola treatment facilities, raising concerns about the continuity of patient care as infections continue to rise.
Ituri Province Remains the Epicenter of the Outbreak
According to the DRC Ministry of Health, 766 patients remain in isolation or hospital care, while 540 people have recovered from the disease.
Nearly 90% of all confirmed cases have been recorded in Ituri Province, where Bunia serves as one of the principal centers for treatment and outbreak response.
The current outbreak began on 15 May 2026 and has spread rapidly across affected communities, placing increasing pressure on already strained healthcare services.
Health Workers Among Those Most at Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 100 healthcare workers have been infected since the outbreak began, highlighting the significant dangers faced by frontline medical teams.
Containment efforts have been further complicated by armed conflict, attacks on healthcare facilities, funding shortages and persistent challenges in identifying and monitoring contacts of infected individuals.
Health authorities also continue to investigate the origin of the outbreak, which remains unknown.
WHO Says Regional Risk Remains Low
Despite the outbreak’s rapid growth, the WHO maintains that the risk of widespread international transmission remains low.
Unlike airborne diseases, Ebola spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, making early detection, isolation, contact tracing and infection prevention measures critical to limiting transmission.
As the DRC confronts one of its most severe public health emergencies in decades, officials warn that sustaining healthcare workers, securing adequate funding and strengthening outbreak response efforts will be essential to bringing the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak under control.
