Newborn at Congo orphanage dies of Ebola, highlighting risks faced by children

BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo — After her mother died in late May, baby Buswaza was brought to a church-run orphanage in eastern Congo, where nuns quickly discovered the newborn had a fever. Within days, she died from what was later confirmed to be Ebola.

Health workers and caregivers said that after her death, six other babies at the orphanage—home to 69 children in the city of Bunia in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo—were identified as suspected Ebola cases.

The infants were transferred to a hospital, where five later tested negative and were discharged on Tuesday from an isolation tent at the Evangelical Medical Centre (CME). They were released to waiting nuns, who received them while wearing protective gear alongside medical staff.

“We thank the hospital staff, we are very grateful,” said Sister Clarisse, holding a baby wrapped in a pink hooded gown.

One infant—a girl from a set of orphaned triplets, nicknamed “Cherie” (“darling”) and less than a year old—remains hospitalized with confirmed Ebola, according to medics and caregivers.

Dr. Freddy Kibwana, head of the CME, said on Wednesday that the child’s condition had worsened in recent hours. “The intensive care team and pediatricians are evaluating her,” he said. He also confirmed that a nun from the orphanage is being treated at the facility after testing positive for Ebola, though she is showing only mild symptoms.

NUNS PRAY FOR THOSE AFFECTED

Children and infants are especially vulnerable to Ebola transmission through bodily fluids such as vomit, feces, and saliva, which are highly infectious during illness.

In addition to the hospitalized infant, three caregivers from the orphanage, including the infected nun, have tested positive for the virus, according to aid workers and medical staff.

The sisters at the orphanage—founded by Belgian nuns during the colonial era—have been praying for those affected.

“We are nuns, but we are also human, and this has been very emotional,” one sister told Reuters, requesting anonymity due to fear of stigma linked to Ebola.

Buswaza, who lived for less than two weeks, is among the youngest victims in the current outbreak, which has infected nearly 600 people and killed at least 115 across Congo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said Ebola can also be present in amniotic fluid and the placenta, meaning the virus may have been transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth. Transmission through breast milk is also possible if infection occurs after delivery.

CHILDREN AT HIGHER RISK

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), children account for nearly 17% of confirmed Ebola cases in the current outbreak, based on preliminary data. Health officials warn the proportion could rise if conditions worsen, recalling the 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak.

While children represent a smaller share of total cases, the WHO says they may face a higher risk of severe illness and death. However, limited data exists on the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and its specific impact on children.

UNICEF has also raised concerns that underlying health challenges could worsen outcomes, including high levels of malnutrition and inconsistent vaccination coverage in affected regions.

A 2023 survey in Ituri found chronic global malnutrition affecting 52.1% of children under five. Many children at the orphanage are survivors of armed conflict in eastern Congo.

“In this fragile context, children could deteriorate more quickly if they become infected,” said Douglas Noble of UNICEF, who leads health emergency responses and visited Bunia last month.

SAFE BURIALS AND ONGOING RESPONSE

Buswaza was buried in late May in a sealed, waterproof body bag to reduce the risk of further transmission. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has deployed child-sized body bags in the region to support safe and dignified burials.

Health teams now visit the orphanage daily to monitor children and staff for symptoms.

“This epidemic has hit an area already in humanitarian crisis,” said Babou Rukengeza of Save the Children. “This place is the only refuge for these children.”

Authorities and aid organizations continue to strengthen surveillance and care efforts as the outbreak spreads in vulnerable communities across eastern Congo. -Reporting by Gradel Muyisa and Benoit Nyemba in Bunia and Emma Farge in Nairobi; editing by Alexandra Hudson/Reuters