The United Nations’ World Health Organization has made a notable reduction in suspected Ebola cases in central Africa. On Tuesday, the organization lowered the count from over 900 to 116 cases. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had 116 suspected registrations by May 31, marking a significant decrease from the previous week’s 906 cases. In total, DRC confirmed 321 cases, with 48 deaths, while Uganda recorded nine confirmed cases, including one death.
Christian Lindmeier, a WHO spokesperson, explained at a Geneva press conference that many cleared cases were identified as other illnesses or unrelated fevers. Despite this decrease, frontline doctors stress the need for earlier detection and highlight ongoing challenges in controlling the outbreak.
Health workers wear personal protective equipment at Bunia’s Evangelical Medical Center in the DRC’s Ituri province, underlining the intense efforts to manage the Ebola outbreak, as reported on May 31, 2026.
The International Rescue Committee informed CBS News that the outbreak might have spread undetected since January. Dr. Abdou Sebushishe from the International Medical Corps in Goma described the difficulty of contacting people who were potentially exposed to the virus. He noted that only a quarter of contacts are reached, and some deny Ebola’s existence, opting for traditional remedies instead, thereby exacerbating the spread.
Sebushishe warned of potentially needing beyond six months to control the outbreak, citing resource shortages like protective gear and noting that healthcare workers account for 20% of new cases.
This week, there is optimism about combating the Ebola strain. Five nurses who had contracted the virus while treating patients have fully recovered, receiving Ebola survivor certificates from WHO chief Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus during his visit.
Etienne Ezo, a nurse who recovered, recalled feeling unwell and starting to vomit before being declared free of Ebola. Baraka Bulambulu, another health worker, expressed immense joy after overcoming the illness.
Tedros emphasized the importance of improving testing, treatment capacity, and trust in health workers. He assured that early medical care could increase survival chances, as demonstrated by those who have successfully recovered.
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