Health 19 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ebola Outbreak Claims Lives of 17 Congolese Medics, Over 70 Infected
The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has taken a heavy toll on healthcare workers, with 17 medics succumbing to the virus and over 70 others infected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of protective gear and a pre-existing scarcity of medical personnel. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/more-than-70-congo-medics-infected-with-ebola-since-outbreak-started-who-says-5502688
The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in the infection of 75 healthcare workers, tragically claiming the lives of 17 of them. A senior World Health Organization (WHO) official disclosed these alarming figures, highlighting the severe impact on the country’s already strained healthcare system.
Experts believe Ebola may have been spreading for months before the official declaration of the outbreak on May 15, meaning many medical professionals were exposed to the virus without adequate knowledge or protection. Compounding the crisis, essential protective equipment like gloves and masks are reported to be in short supply.
“It is a really high price that the system, the healthcare system, is paying, because we don’t have enough of healthcare workers in DRC,” stated Marie Roseline Belizaire, WHO emergency director, during a press conference. The DRC faces a critical shortage of healthcare personnel, with approximately 11 workers per 10,000 people, according to WHO data.
In response to the dire situation, both China and Uganda are mobilizing medical teams to assist the DRC. The WHO is also providing crucial psychological support to medics who are understandably fearful of treating patients, having witnessed many colleagues fall victim to the virus. The emotional toll on these frontline workers is immense, as they confront the daily risks and the personal stories of infection and loss.