WHO Slashes Congo Ebola Count to 116; Vaccine Race Intensifies

The World Health Organization is dramatically scaling back the estimated scale of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As of May 31st, WHO now reports 116 suspected and 321 confirmed cases, a sharp revision from previous estimates of over 1,000. Spokesperson Christian Lindmeier confirmed 48 deaths and six recoveries. In neighboring Uganda, nine cases and one death have been recorded.

Lindmeier explained the reduction is due to testing, which cleared out non-Ebola cases. The outbreak is caused by the rarer Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.

Despite the challenges, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced five patients have recovered. Speaking at a new treatment center in Bunia, he stated, "Of course, we're still working on vaccines and treatments, but that doesn't mean that people cannot recover from Ebola."

Moderna, the University of Oxford, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative are now racing to develop targeted vaccines, backed by a €53 million investment from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Manufacturing will take place at the Serum Institute of India (SII).