BUNIA — Mourners gathered in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday to bury a 6-month-old girl who died from Ebola, marking the third child death linked to an outbreak at a church-run orphanage in the city of Bunia, according to the Associated Press. Health workers wearing protective equipment carried out the burial under infection-control procedures as relatives, caregivers and members of the Catholic community attended.
The child, identified as Vanisa Anifa, died earlier in the week after testing positive for Ebola, the Associated Press reported. Her burial took place at a cemetery in Bunia, in Ituri province, where health authorities have been responding to an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
During the ceremony, mourners remained at a distance as masked and gloved workers lowered the coffin into the ground, while a Catholic priest offered prayers, according to the Associated Press. Father Innocent Ndogo said, “It’s a feeling of sadness because we have lost one of our own, a daughter of the church,” referring to the loss of the child.
The orphanage where Vanisa stayed had already been affected by Ebola cases among children and caregivers. Earlier in June, Reuters reported that two babies at a church-run orphanage in Bunia had died after contracting Ebola, and several other children had been assessed for possible infection. Some children later tested negative and were discharged, Reuters reported.
Health officials have said the outbreak has created challenges for communities and medical teams working to contain transmission. Reuters reported that health workers in eastern Congo have faced difficulties including mistrust, limited access in some areas and concerns over safe burial practices during the response.
The World Health Organization and other health agencies have supported Congo’s response efforts, including surveillance, testing and infection prevention measures. The current outbreak has been linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a strain that has previously caused outbreaks in the region.
Congo’s health authorities have continued efforts to trace contacts and provide care for people affected by the virus. Officials have not indicated that the burial ceremony itself led to additional infections, and details about any new cases connected to the orphanage remain unclear.
On Monday, health officials continued monitoring the outbreak in Ituri province as response teams worked to identify cases and limit further spread. Authorities and aid organizations have urged communities to follow infection-control guidance, including safe burial practices, while investigations and response operations continue.
