Congo Faces Health Worker Crisis Amid Ongoing Ebola Threat

WHO:

ABC News - World Health Organization (WHO) officials, including Marie Roseline Belizaire and Catherine Smallwood, are involved in the response to the Ebola outbreak.

ABC News - Health Minister Roger Kamba is mentioned regarding the verification of payroll lists for health workers.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Ebola outbreak in Congo has resulted in 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths.

ABC News - The outbreak is described as the fastest-growing in history, with cases in North Kivu province surging 73% over three weeks.

ABC News - Between August 31 and September 20, cases fell 26% in Ituri province and 15% in Haut-Uele.

ABC News - The WHO has stated that the outbreak is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, which killed more than 11,000 people.

ABC News - The fatality rate among children under five is reported to be more than 60%, compared to approximately 40% among adults.

WHERE:

ABC News - The outbreak is primarily affecting the eastern province of North Kivu and has spread to seven provinces in total.

ABC News - The epicenter of the outbreak is in Ituri province.

WHEN:

ABC News - The WHO reported the surge in cases in North Kivu on a Wednesday, without specifying the exact date.

ABC News - The WHO reported a decline in cases in Ituri province and Haut-Uele between August 31 and September 20.

WHY:

ABC News - The outbreak is fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike, and intense population movements.

ABC News - The human resources gap is identified as one of the biggest challenges in the response to the outbreak.

HOW:

ABC News - WHO representatives stated that one Ebola treatment center requires about 300 health professionals, including anesthetists, hygienists, nurses, and general practitioners.

ABC News - Health workers in Ituri previously went on strike over unpaid wages, which worsened access to care.

(UPDATED September 23, 2026 16:01 UTC)

The World Health Organization is actively responding to a rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak in Congo, which has already led to 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths, making it the fastest-growing outbreak in history. The epicenter is in Ituri province, while the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, with a staggering fatality rate of over 60% among children under five. Challenges such as insecurity, a health workers’ strike, and a significant human resources gap are complicating efforts, as one treatment center alone requires around 300 health professionals to operate effectively.