Care, compassion and recovery of youngest patient in Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola outbreak

Bulape - Ebola virus disease is a serious illness. When detected late, it claims many lives, even with recent advances in vaccines and therapeutics. Although the disease has become more manageable with improved care and as response capacities, it still takes a heavy toll on families and communities.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing its sixteenth Ebola outbreak in Bulape Health Zone in Kasai Province. A countdown to declare the end of the outbreak is ongoing after the last patient was discharged on 19 October 2025. There have been 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable) and 45 deaths-a case fatality rate of 70%. The outbreak occurred in a remote and difficult-to-access locality, making it challenging to scale up and sustain response operations.

Despite the challenges, there have been moments of hope. A month after the outbreak was declared, a special event gave everyone involved in the response renewed strength: the recovery of one of the youngest Ebola patients in the outbreak-a four-month-old baby boy whose mother sadly died from the disease.

"I am so happy and deeply grateful to everyone who cared for my baby at the Ebola treatment centre, especially Jean and all those who dedicated themselves to his survival," says Alidor Mashala Katshiabala, the baby's father, referring to Jean Mikobi Tshilomba, who looked after the baby as they both recovered from Ebola at the treatment centre.

"I don't know how to thank them or offer them something as precious as the life they saved. For me, the most important thing is that they protected and saved my child. I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart," says Katshiabala.

The baby was admitted at Bulape Ebola treatment centre on 19 September with his stepmother and three siblings, where they were all tested for Ebola. While his family members tested negative and returned home the following day, the baby tested positive, likely contracting the illness through breastfeeding and close contact with his mother, and had to remain at the treatment centre for care.

But as important as medical care is, babies, especially very young ones, also need comfort and human connection. This compassion came from Jean Mikobi Tshilomba, who was also diagnosed with Ebola and receiving treatment at the centre. He cuddled the baby when he cried, changed him and fed him as guided by the medical team. Tshilomba continued caring for the baby even after he was declared cured, remaining at the treatment centre until the infant also recovered.

"What moved me the most was thinking about my own child at home. I told myself that maybe one day, I could die and leave my child an orphan. So, if someone else could take care of them the way I'm doing today for this child, it would be a blessing. I do it simply out of love because I'm a parent and I deeply love children," Tshilomba says.

A total of 19 patients have recovered from Ebola and no new cases have been reported since 25 September.

"Seeing this baby recover was one of the most moving moments of this outbreak. It reminded all of us why we do this work, every effort, every long day, every sleepless night is to save lives and bring hope back to families," says Dr Mory Keita, World Health Organization (WHO) Incident Manager for Ebola response in Bulape.

Outbreaks begin and end in communities, and this is especially true for Ebola. In recent years, lessons from previous outbreaks have helped develop and improve valuable tools such as vaccines and treatments. More importantly, they have underscored the power of community ownership and engagement in the response, fostering a holistic approach to outbreak management.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, WHO continues to provide operational and technical support to end the outbreak and assist survivors on their road to recovery.