A six-month-old girl who died from Ebola was buried in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, highlighting the growing human toll of the country’s worsening outbreak.
The infant was reportedly the third child from the Saint Nicolas orphanage in Bunia to die from Ebola since the outbreak began. Mourners gathered at Bigo Cemetery on Friday as Red Cross health workers conducted the burial under strict safety protocols.
Due to the highly contagious nature of the virus, only healthcare workers wearing protective equipment were allowed to handle the child’s coffin, while family members and mourners observed from a distance as prayers were offered.
The tragic death underscores the severity of the outbreak in Ituri Province, which remains the epicentre of the epidemic and accounts for more than 90 percent of reported cases.
Health officials continue to face major challenges in containing the disease. Efforts have been complicated by community resistance, tensions surrounding safe burial procedures and shortages of protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Health experts say limited testing during the early stages of the outbreak contributed to the rapid spread of the disease.
According to the latest figures, the outbreak has recorded 894 confirmed cases and more than 200 deaths, making it one of the most serious Ebola emergencies in recent years.
While most infections remain concentrated in Ituri Province, cases have also been reported in North Kivu, South Kivu and neighbouring Uganda, raising concerns about regional transmission.
Health authorities continue surveillance, isolation measures and public awareness campaigns as they work to contain the outbreak and prevent further loss of life.
