Ebola Numbers Suddenly Look More Hopeful

The threat is far from over, but the number of Ebola cases in central Africa just shifted dramatically downward. The World Health Organization on Tuesday confirmed 321 infections and 116 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports Reuters. It's the latter number that's so striking: The WHO had the figure at more than 900 late last week, per AFP. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain for which no approved vaccine exists, has led to 48 deaths. Six people have recovered.

While some of the 900-plus suspected cases turned out to be Ebola, the vast majority did not. They were "cleared out" from the data because testing showed patients had other diseases, or "just had fever and nothing else," said WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier. The outbreak, Congo's 17th involving Ebola, was announced May 15 and quickly labeled a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO. Neighboring Uganda is also reporting cases, with 15 confirmed so far.