At least 600 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with confirmed cases rising to 1,759 as of July 9, 2026, according to government data. The latest report indicated that 51 new cases and 20 deaths were recorded within the previous 24 hours.
Current Situation of the Ebola Outbreak
The DRC's health authorities confirmed that the total number of infections does not include two cases reported in Kisangani, the capital of the Tshopo province. The test results for these cases are still being validated, and they will be included in the official case total once confirmed. One of the cases is linked to the village of Nia-Nia in the Ituri province, where the first illnesses were reported. However, the second case appears to lack a geographic link beyond Kisangani.
As the situation deteriorates, healthcare workers in Ituri, the hardest-hit region among the three eastern areas affected by the outbreak, have begun walking off their jobs due to delayed payments. Front-line workers issued an official notice to national and provincial authorities over the weekend, threatening to strike if they were not compensated within 24 hours.
Protests from Healthcare Workers
By Tuesday, some healthcare professionals had already ceased work, although an official strike has not yet been declared. Many front-line workers reported that they have not received wages or bonuses since the Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15. They also expressed concerns over working with limited protective gear and feeling unfairly treated by authorities and response teams.
Dr. Biensi Kano, a member of the epidemiological surveillance committee in Ituri's capital, Bunia, stated, “Since the Ebola virus disease outbreak was declared, we’ve been demanding payment for our work.” The protest comes as clinical trials for treatment of the Bundibugyo virus are set to begin, which is responsible for this current outbreak.
World Health Organization Response
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May, but by that time, the virus had already been spreading undetected for weeks in the mining towns of Mongbwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia, eventually reaching neighboring provinces. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola is generally considered less deadly than other strains, but there is currently no approved vaccine available.
- Confirmed deaths: 600
- Confirmed cases: 1,759
- New cases in 24 hours: 51
- New deaths in 24 hours: 20
- Outbreak declared: May 15, 2026
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
