BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo — An Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed the lives of three children at a church-run orphanage in Bunia, health officials and aid workers said this week, underscoring the risks facing young children as authorities struggle to contain the rapidly expanding epidemic.
The latest victim, a six-month-old girl, was buried under strict Ebola safety protocols in Bunia on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Her death followed the earlier deaths of two other infants at the same orphanage, located in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak. Health workers said several caregivers at the facility also contracted the virus.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment, according to the World Health Organization. WHO and Congolese authorities have been coordinating surveillance, contact tracing, treatment, and community outreach efforts since the outbreak was officially declared in May.
Children account for a significant share of infections. UNICEF and health officials have warned that infants and young children face heightened risks because of close physical contact with caregivers and the challenges of preventing transmission in crowded settings. At the orphanage, several babies were isolated after possible exposure, though some later tested negative and were discharged, according to reports from health workers involved in the response.
The broader outbreak has continued to expand across eastern Congo. Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said on Friday that 933 confirmed Ebola cases and 245 deaths had been recorded nationwide. Most infections have been reported in Ituri province, where Bunia is located. Authorities said some patients have recovered and been discharged from treatment centers.
Health workers have also been heavily affected. The World Health Organization said more than 70 medical personnel have been infected since the outbreak began, with at least 17 deaths among healthcare workers. WHO emergency director Marie Roseline Belizaire described the situation as placing “a heavy toll” on an already strained health system.
Response efforts have faced additional obstacles, including community mistrust, resistance to safe-burial measures, insecurity in some affected areas, and shortages of medical resources, according to WHO and aid agencies.
As of June 20, Congolese health authorities, WHO, and international partners continued containment operations in Ituri and neighboring provinces. Officials said monitoring, testing, and treatment efforts remain underway, while details about additional infections linked to the orphanage remain unclear.
