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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 13, 2026Miami-Dade

Ebola outbreak spreads to sixth province in Congo as health worker strikes hinder response

The Ebola virus has reached Bas-Uele province following a death in the capital city of Buta, marking the sixth province affected by the current outbreak. Health officials report that the virus is spreading at an alarming rate, with response efforts hampered by unpaid health worker strikes, misinformation, and limited infrastructure.

public healthEbolaCongodisease outbreakinternational aid
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Why It Matters

The outbreak is currently the fastest-growing in history, with over 2,100 deaths reported and significant challenges in and medical staffing threatening to expand the virus's reach further.

Key Facts

  • The Ebola outbreak has spread to a sixth province, Bas-Uele, following a death in the capital, Buta.
  • The current outbreak has resulted in over 2,100 deaths out of more than 4,500 cases.
  • The virus responsible for the current outbreak is the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
  • Health workers at the Nizi Treatment Center in Ituri province are on strike due to three months of unpaid salaries, leading to the center's closure.
  • The outbreak began in February, months earlier than the official declaration date of May 15.
  • Approximately 90% of all cases and 80% of deaths are concentrated in Ituri province.
  • Between 60% and 70% of new cases are occurring outside of monitored contact groups.
  • Clinical trials for two potential treatments and two vaccines specifically for the Bundibugyo virus are currently underway.
  • Africa CDC is supporting the use of the Ervebo vaccine, originally authorized for the Zaire Ebola strain, as a potential cross-protection measure.

Who's Mentioned

personJean-Jacques Muyembe“Head of Congo’s National Institute for Biomedical Research”organizationMercy Corps“Aid group monitoring the outbreak footprint”personJean Kaseya“Director general of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention”organizationWorld Health Organization“International health agency monitoring the outbreak”locationIturi“Province with 90% of cases and 80% of deaths”locationBas-Uele“Province where the latest Ebola death was recorded”organizationAfrica Centres for Disease Control and Prevention“Public health agency coordinating response”