Two babies have died in an orphanage in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after contracting Ebola, a tragedy that highlights the high risks the epidemic poses to children. The incident comes amid an already fragile health situation in Ituri province, the epicenter of the recent outbreak.
According to information from medical and humanitarian teams, the children were living in a church-run orphanage in Bunia. One of the infants, a little girl named Buswaza, had been placed there after her mother's death at the end of May. Shortly after her arrival, she developed a fever and subsequently succumbed to the illness.
Following this death, health authorities identified six other babies with suspicious symptoms at the same facility, which houses a total of 69 children. The cases were immediately monitored and transferred to a specialized medical center to prevent any further spread of the virus.
Tests confirmed that five of the children tested did not have Ebola and were able to leave the isolation area. However, the situation remains closely monitored by medical teams due to the high risk of transmission in environments housing vulnerable populations.
Children account for nearly a fifth of the cases recorded during this epidemic, according to data from health organizations. Experts emphasize that malnutrition, prevalent in some areas of the region, could worsen the severity of infections among the youngest.
In response to the situation, humanitarian and medical teams have strengthened their surveillance and care systems in the region. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, efforts are focused on limiting the spread of the virus and protecting the most vulnerable populations, particularly children and isolated communities.
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