Ebola virus disease remains a life-threatening illness that, despite medical advances, continues to devastate families and communities when detected late. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently facing its sixteenth Ebola outbreak in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province. Following the discharge of the last patient on 19 October 2025, authorities have begun the countdown to declare the end of the outbreak. The situation has been challenging, with 64 reported cases—53 confirmed and 11 probable—and 45 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 70%. The remote and hard-to-reach location of Bulape has made response operations difficult to scale up and sustain.
Amid these challenges, a story of hope emerged that inspired the entire response team—the recovery of one of the youngest Ebola patients, a four-month-old baby boy whose mother succumbed to the disease. His father, Alidor Mashala Katshiabala, expressed profound gratitude to the healthcare workers who cared for his child, particularly Jean Mikobi Tshilomba, a fellow Ebola patient who took on the role of caregiver during their joint treatment at the Bulape Ebola Treatment Centre.
The baby was admitted to the treatment centre on 19 September along with his stepmother and three siblings. While the others tested negative and returned home, the infant tested positive—likely infected through close contact and breastfeeding—and remained in care. Beyond medical treatment, the baby received vital emotional support from Tshilomba, who comforted, fed, and cared for him even after his own recovery, staying until the baby was fully healed. Tshilomba explained that his motivation came from empathy and parental love, imagining how he would wish others to care for his own child if he were gone.
To date, 19 patients have recovered from the outbreak, and no new cases have been reported since 25 September. According to Dr. Mory Keita, WHO Incident Manager for the Ebola response in Bulape, the baby’s recovery was one of the most touching moments of the outbreak, symbolizing the hope and humanity that drive every effort in the response.
The outbreak has highlighted that Ebola begins and ends in communities, emphasizing the need for community engagement, resilience, and trust. Lessons from previous outbreaks have led to advancements in vaccines and therapeutics, as well as stronger collaboration between health authorities and communities. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to provide operational and technical support to help end the outbreak and assist survivors on their path to recovery, reinforcing the importance of compassion and solidarity in overcoming public health crises.
