France, July 25 -- The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached 2,973, including 1,309 deaths, according to government data released on Friday, in what authorities describe as the fastest-growing outbreak on record.

Activities at the Elikya Ebola Treatment Centre in Bunia, in Ituri province, were largely paralysed after doctors, nurses and security staff stopped work.

Around 100 health workers protested outside the treatment centre on Saturday. They said unpaid bonuses were undermining morale and disrupting patient care, and called on the Congolese authorities to settle the arrears so they could resume their work.

In a statement issued on Friday, staff said they had unanimously voted to strike fro...