WHO reports over 320 confirmed Ebola cases in DRC, warns of potentially wider epidemic
via Business News2 min read
The World Health Organization WHO announced on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, that 321 confirmed cases of Ebola have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, along with 116 suspected cases. The organization also reported 48 deaths and six recoveries in the country since the epidemic began. This update shows a significant decrease in the number of suspected cases compared to previous reports, as several hundred alerts were ultimately dismissed after laboratory analysis. However, the WHO expressed serious concerns about the true extent of the epidemic, noting that the number of infected individuals could be much higher than currently detected due to many difficult-to-access areas and significant gaps in health surveillance. The epidemic was first reported in mid-May in Ituri province, northeastern DRC. By May 16, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases, and 80 suspected deaths had already been identified in several health zones, including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongbwalu. Unusual clusters of community deaths with symptoms consistent with the disease had been reported. Health authorities also reported several deaths among healthcare professionals, raising fears of transmission within medical facilities and revealing inadequacies in infection prevention and control measures. International concern grew when the epidemic crossed DRC's borders. According to the WHO, Uganda recorded nine confirmed cases, including one death. The first cases were detected in Kampala
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