DRC Ebola Cases Surpass 3,000 as Health Workers Strike Over Unpaid Bonuses

Confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo have risen to 3,075, including 1,354 deaths, according to government data released Saturday, as health workers in the outbreak’s epicenter walked off the job over unpaid compensation.

Strike Halts Treatment Center Operations

The Elikya Ebola Treatment Center in Bunia, capital of Ituri province, stopped functioning after doctors, nurses, and security staff joined roughly 100 workers protesting outside the facility over two months of unpaid performance bonuses. Health worker Martin Bolombi said five patients had already died while staff waited for a resolution. Dr. Adelard Lufungula, operations manager for the Ebola response, said Saturday the backlog was being addressed through mobile money payments and should clear within days.

Broader Payment Concerns Across Region

The strike followed a visit by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa to Ituri treatment centers, where workers raised similar compensation concerns. Staff at Bunia General Hospital also walked out last week, with some reporting no pay since joining the response.

Outbreak Details

The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, began May 15 and has infected more than 100 health workers, according to the WHO. Ituri accounts for nearly 90 percent of cases. Unlike the more common Zaire virus, no approved vaccine or treatment exists for this strain, though researchers have begun enrolling patients in a study of two potential treatments. The WHO says global spread risk remains low.