Ebola hits the most vulnerable children in Congo

These Congolese children are born again after five days of isolation. It’s their first year of life and they’re at the center of a deadly Ebola outbreak. The babies are all orphans who were brought to this hospital after showing symptoms of the virus. They have just tested negative and are being taken to a halfway house. But at least two other babies from the same orphanage have died. What happened to them was a worst-case scenario for health authorities trying to prevent the spread of Ebola to young children. The alarm was raised at Saint Nicholas Children’s Home here in late May after the arrival of newborn girl Patience who quickly developed a fever. We were given a tour of the orphanage, which is home to almost 70 children and their caregivers. A pediatrician followed the case of little Patience’s mother and learned that she had Ebola at the time of her death. Days later, Patience also died. She was 9 days old. This was one of the last photos taken of her while she was still alive. It is unclear whether the family knew she could be infected. When we reached him by phone, the relative who took her to St. Nicholas refused to speak to us. By the time anyone at the orphanage realized the danger, some staff had already held Patience and cared for her. Soon, more children showed symptoms of the virus. When we visited the Ebola treatment center, this 10-month-old child seemed to be doing better. Baby Elysée was cared for by Sister Cecile Nube, one of three orphanage staff members who also tested positive. Even when she was sick herself, Sister Nube stayed by Elysée’s side, feeding her, giving her medicine and looking after her. Elisée died 24 hours after we met her. A reminder of how quickly the disease can develop, especially in babies. Now Santa Claus is in quarantine. Contact persons visit the orphanage every day and check the children and their carers for fever. “Some of them are experiencing slightly higher temperatures today, but they are doing well at the moment.” The concern is that one infection here could quickly become many. “It could have been a recipe for disaster. It’s a very classic situation where Ebola can destroy the community very quickly. They play together and spend all day together. So it spreads from one person to the next. And for nothing, you’ll see the entire community become infected.” The orphanage remains under observation for the time being. It is still a haven for children in need of protection and care, even as each new symptom raises fears that the virus could still spread.