Confirmed Ebola deaths in DR Congo hit 600

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed at least 600 lives, with confirmed cases reaching 1,759, according to government data released on Wednesday. The grim toll was updated as 51 new cases and 20 deaths were recorded in the preceding 24 hours.

Adding to the crisis, healthcare workers in the hardest-hit Ituri province are threatening to walk off the job over delayed payments. Front-line workers issued an official notice threatening a strike if wages and bonuses, some dating back to the outbreak's declaration on May 15, were not paid promptly. Some have already stopped working, though a formal strike has not yet been declared.

"Since the Ebola virus disease outbreak was declared, we’ve been demanding payment for our work," said Dr. Biensi Kano, a member of the epidemiological surveillance committee in Ituri's capital, Bunia. Workers report insufficient gear and unfair treatment by response teams.

The situation is complicated by new cases appearing in Kisangani, a major city, with one case lacking a clear geographic link to the initial outbreak site. This comes as clinical trials for the Bundibugyo virus strain, responsible for this outbreak, are set to begin. While this strain is generally less deadly, there is no approved vaccine.

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Since the Ebola virus disease outbreak was declared, we’ve been demanding payment for our work.