DR Congo revises down number of suspected Ebola cases

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has resulted in 321 confirmed cases, with 116 suspected infections still under investigation.

The latest figures, however, show a sharp decline in the number of suspected cases. Just days earlier, the WHO had reported 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected Ebola-related deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Sunday more than 1,100 suspected cases were being investigated.

Explaining the discrepancy, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said hundreds of suspected cases had been ruled out following laboratory testing and investigations.

"They have been ruled out and either have other diseases or have just had a fever and nothing else," Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva, adding that suspected case numbers are expected to fluctuate as surveillance teams continue testing and tracing contacts.

According to the WHO, the DR Congo outbreak has so far resulted in 48 deaths, while six patients have recovered. A suspected case includes anyone identified through surveillance systems or presenting symptoms at a health facility, while confirmed cases are those who test positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

The outbreak, the 17th Ebola epidemic in the country, was officially declared by Africa CDC on May 15. The WHO has since declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Health officials say testing has been particularly challenging because the Bundibugyo strain is not detected by some commonly used Ebola tests. There is also currently no approved vaccine for the strain, and laboratory capacity remains limited.

In neighboring Uganda, health authorities confirmed six new Ebola cases on Tuesday, bringing the country's total number of confirmed infections to 15. The Ministry of Health said all six new cases were identified among known contacts of previously confirmed patients.

Uganda has recorded one Ebola-related death so far. The ministry said two patients have been discharged from hospital, while 12 remain under treatment.