WHO Warns DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Likely Two to Four Times Larger Than Reported

Ituri Province Labor Unrest Hinders Ebola Containment

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is likely at least two to four times larger than official figures suggest, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of mid-July, health officials have reported between 1,926 and 1,963 confirmed cases and at least 702 to 719 deaths. Efforts to contain the virus are currently hampered by labor unrest at the epicenter of the outbreak in Ituri province, where frontline workers have initiated a strike over unpaid wages.

WHO Estimates of Undetected Ebola Transmission

The true scale of the current Ebola epidemic in the DRC remains significantly higher than the reported tally. Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Executive Director of the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, stated after visiting the region that modeling suggests the number of infections is at least two to four times higher than the confirmed count. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Dr. Ihekweazu described the situation as a “marathon,” noting that the response has reached a critical point where intensified efforts are required to detect and isolate patients.

This discrepancy in case numbers is driven by the fact that many individuals are dying within their family environments rather than in medical centers. According to the WHO, approximately 80 percent of new cases originate from unknown transmission chains, meaning they are not captured on existing contact tracing lists. Dr. Ihekweazu characterized the spread as a fire that is both expanding and intensifying at its core. As of July 12, 727 patients were being treated in Ebola treatment centers across the affected areas.

For more on this story, see Ebola Outbreak Continues to Spread in Congo, WHO Warns.

Healthcare Worker Strike at Rwampara Treatment Centre

Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba Investigates Payroll Irregularities

Containment efforts are facing growing challenges as healthcare workers in the affected areas threaten to strike over the non-payment of their salaries. At the Ebola treatment center in Rwampara, one of the hardest-hit areas in Ituri province, staff including epidemiologists, case investigators, drivers, and gravediggers shut the facility and blocked access routes on Monday. Protesting staff even burned a tire outside the hospital to signal their frustration.

“Since May 15, we have been caring for Ebola patients without pay. We continue to treat them because of our oath, but we are working under very difficult conditions,” Pascal Bahoya, a physician at the Rwampara center, told AFP on Monday. Another staff member, Bahati Claude, expressed confusion regarding the payment delays, noting, “We don’t know how it is possible to not have been paid for two months.”

This follows our earlier report, Congo Ebola Outbreak Spreading Undetected, WHO Warns.

Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba stated that the government is currently verifying a list of those working to control the outbreak to ensure payments reach the right people. Kamba explained that “some unrelated names have been added to the payroll,” leading to complaints from active workers. “We have the means to sort this out,” Kamba said during a visit to Ituri.

Funding Shortfalls and Regional Expansion

Bundibugyo Virus Spreads to Haut-Uele and Tshopo Provinces

The Ebola response faces a significant financial gap as the virus spreads beyond its original borders. The WHO has received less than half of its $115 million appeal, with funding currently at approximately 40 percent. Dr. Ihekweazu urged donors not to abandon the country at this critical stage, stating, “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.”

Read also: DR Congo Ebola Outbreak Could Become Worst in History: Africa CDC Warns.

The current outbreak, which was declared on May 15, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus. The WHO notes that there is currently no proven treatment or vaccine for this specific strain, although a study of two potential treatments began earlier this month at a different facility in Ituri. The virus has very recently spread beyond the original outbreak area to two new provinces, Haut-Uele and Tshopo, bringing the total number of affected provinces to five. Dr. Ihekweazu noted that the response must now focus on understanding travel routes to prevent further expansion. Readers should note that because this is a rapidly evolving public health emergency, they should consult qualified professionals or official WHO guidance for the most current clinical information and safety recommendations.

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