On the evening of July 5 local time, the latest report from the Democratic Republic of the Congo shows that since the outbreak of Ebola disease was announced on May 15, the country has recorded 1,561 confirmed cases, with 506 deaths. The spread of the disease is still faster than the pace at which response measures are being implemented.
According to the Associated Press, reported on July 6 local time, at the same time, frontline workers in the region threatened to strike due to the failure to provide benefits and poor working conditions. Frontline workers sent to Ituri Province, a severely affected area of the outbreak in Congo (Kinshasa), issued an 24-hour ultimatum on July 5.
It is reported that these workers are mainly medical personnel. They have hardly had any rest during the pandemic, and they also have to deal with attacks from angry residents as well as public skepticism about the virus. An “Notice to the Government” seen by the Associated Press indicates that both those working inside and outside hospitals have stated that they have not received any benefits since the outbreak began, and there is a severe shortage of work supplies.
They also complained about low salaries, an 'arrogant' attitude from the team based in capital city Kinshasa, the 'excessive' deployment of personnel from other provinces without first using local manpower in Ituri Province, and a lack of necessary equipment.
The threat of strikes emerged at a time when researchers just started a major study earlier this month, testing two potential Ebola therapies in an effort to contain the still-widespread outbreak.
According to the Associated Press, residents in the hardest-hit areas of Ebola in Congo are placing their hopes in these experimental therapies. The current strike crisis has raised concerns about the potential impact on these trials.
It is reported that this Ebola outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the six known types of Ebola viruses. Currently, there are no approved treatments or vaccines for this virus. Additionally, officials have not yet identified the ‘patient zero’ of the outbreak, and it is still necessary to track potentially tens of thousands of people who have had contact with the infected individuals.
The World Health Organization stated that in the first month after the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic, its severity reached record levels.
