Date: June 10, 2026 l Reporter: Kimberly White
BUNIA, Democratic Republic of Congo — The deaths of two infants at a church-run orphanage in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have intensified concerns over the growing impact of the country’s Ebola outbreak on children, as health workers warn that vulnerable young populations face heightened risks in already fragile humanitarian conditions.
One of the victims, a newborn identified as Buswaza, arrived at the orphanage in Bunia after her mother died in late May. Caregivers soon noticed that the infant had developed a fever. Within days, she died and was later confirmed to have contracted Ebola. Medical officials believe transmission may have occurred during pregnancy, childbirth, or through breastfeeding, all of which have been documented pathways for the virus.
Following the child’s death, health authorities launched emergency screening at the orphanage, which shelters dozens of children. Six additional infants were classified as suspected cases and transferred to a treatment facility. Medical teams later confirmed that five tested negative and were discharged, but another infant—a triplet girl known as “Cherie”—succumbed to the disease after testing positive.
Healthcare workers and aid agencies say the cases illustrate how quickly Ebola can spread among infants and caregivers in environments where close physical contact is unavoidable. Three carers linked to the orphanage, including a nun, also tested positive for Ebola, further increasing fears about transmission inside care facilities.
The current outbreak, centred in Ituri province, involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rarer variant for which there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment. The World Health Organization previously declared the outbreak an international public health emergency and has warned that containing the virus will require stronger financing, improved surveillance, and greater community engagement.
Children are becoming an increasingly significant concern in the outbreak response. Preliminary estimates indicate they account for roughly 17 percent of confirmed cases. Humanitarian agencies say many affected children are already living with malnutrition, displacement, or limited access to healthcare because of prolonged instability across eastern Congo.
Aid organisations operating in the region have expanded monitoring at the orphanage and strengthened infection prevention measures, including safe burial protocols and daily health checks for children and staff. Relief workers warn that protecting children in crisis zones remains one of the most difficult challenges in stopping the disease’s spread.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has continued to report rising case numbers in recent days as authorities and international partners race to contain one of the country’s most serious Ebola emergencies in recent years.