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WHO reduces suspected Ebola cases in Central Africa amid sharp decline

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Cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo drop significantly after reclassification and revised surveillance data

The WHO reduces suspected Ebola cases in Central Africa, with health authorities reporting a sharp decline in the Democratic Republic of Congo following updated surveillance data and the reclassification of multiple suspected infections.

On May 31, the World Health Organization reported 116 suspected cases of the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, down from 906 recorded at the end of the previous week. The reduction follows the exclusion of numerous cases that were later identified as other illnesses with similar early symptoms or unrelated fevers.

According to updated figures, approximately 321 cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including 48 deaths. In neighboring Uganda, nine confirmed cases have been recorded, including one death, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the region to around 330.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said that many suspected cases were ultimately ruled out after testing. He noted that individuals identified through surveillance or presenting at health facilities with Ebola-like symptoms are initially classified as suspected cases pending laboratory confirmation.

The outbreak was declared on May 15 in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a conflict-affected region that is home to more than 100 million people and remains among the poorest in the world. Health officials believe the virus, transmitted through close contact and bodily fluids, may have been spreading undetected for weeks prior to detection.

Lindmeier also explained that earlier figures included 223 suspected deaths attributed to Ebola, but these have since been removed from the updated statistics due to significant uncertainty, including cases involving individuals who died weeks earlier and could not be examined.

He added that among confirmed infections, six people have recovered.

Separately, the European Council has called on the Council of the EU and the European Commission to monitor the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its evolution, and to define operational priorities if necessary.

The Council expressed concern over the spread of Ebola in both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, while welcoming the rapid allocation of funds by the World Health Organization to support immediate response measures, including epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, and laboratory capacity strengthening.

It also stated that the European Union stands ready to support the WHO and the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in coordinating and implementing urgent containment and response measures, as in previous outbreaks.

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