The World Health Organization has sharply reduced suspected Ebola cases in Central Africa from 906 to 116 after further testing. The revision matters because it provides a clearer picture of the outbreak’s scale. Health authorities, affected communities, and neighbouring countries remain closely impacted.
The WHO said 116 suspected cases were recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo as of May 31. Meanwhile, 321 cases have been confirmed in the country, including 48 deaths. In neighbouring Uganda, authorities have confirmed nine cases and one death linked to the outbreak.
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According to WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier, many previously suspected cases were removed after testing identified other illnesses. Patients initially showing Ebola-like symptoms were later diagnosed with diseases such as malaria, meningitis, or typhoid. As a result, those cases no longer appeared in Ebola statistics. Confirmed infections, however, were added to the official outbreak total.
The outbreak was declared on May 15 in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Health experts believe the virus circulated undetected for weeks before detection. The Bundibugyo strain initially causes symptoms similar to flu, malaria, and typhoid. Consequently, early identification can be difficult and may delay containment efforts.
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WHO has also removed earlier estimates of suspected Ebola-related deaths due to uncertainty surrounding those figures. Many reported deaths occurred before investigations began and could not be verified through testing. So far, six confirmed patients have recovered. No approved vaccine or treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain, leaving prevention and surveillance as the primary tools against its spread.