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WHO Scales Back Number of Suspected Ebola Cases in Congo, But Front-Line Medics Say Major Challenges Remain

Updated on: June 2, 2026 / 10:11 AM EDT / CBS News

WHO Scales Back Number of Suspected Ebola Cases in Congo, But Front-Line Medics Say Major Challenges Remain

TL;DR

  • WHO reduced suspected Ebola cases in DRC to 116 from over 900.
  • Total confirmed cases stand at 321 in DRC (48 deaths) and 9 in Uganda (1 death).
  • Many suspected cases were reclassified as other diseases or fevers.
  • Health workers believe the outbreak may have been spreading undetected since January.
  • Contact tracing is challenging, with only about a quarter of contacts being reached.
  • Some individuals do not believe Ebola is real and seek alternative traditional treatments.
  • Medics require more resources, including protective gear, to improve the response.
  • Healthcare workers constitute 20% of new positive Ebola cases.
  • Five nurses who contracted Ebola have recovered and been declared Ebola-free.
  • WHO chief stressed the importance of early testing, treatment, and trust in health workers for survival.