Five patients infected with Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo have recovered and been discharged from hospital, officials said [1]. The first survivor, a laboratory worker, left the hospital about a week before June 21. On Sunday, a ceremony was held in Bunia, Ituri province, to recognise the recovery of four nurses who had battled the virus [1].

The current Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has caused nearly 250 deaths, continuing to threaten health workers on the front lines. Several have died while treating patients, a risk that WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged, saying, "It pains me to see health workers who have already died because of Ebola while serving others... this is the risk which comes with the profession, but your commitment and coming back again to serve means a lot" [1].

Nurse Etienne Ezo, one of the survivors, described the harrowing experience: "We were really demoralised because we knew that at some point... we were going to die. That was it... I'm telling you, if you have never been isolated, you will not know that it's not easy" [1].

Strict burial rules banning relatives from handling suspected Ebola bodies have stirred tensions, leading to attacks on health centres in the region [1].

Dr Mwamba Kazadi, Director of the DR Congo Institute of Public Health, called the patient recoveries "a victory worth celebrating," adding that early detection and strong care make a difference. The institute stated, "This encouraging milestone bears witness to the effectiveness of field interventions: early detection, medical care, contact tracing and community engagement" [1].

Dr Tedros highlighted the crucial role of affected communities, saying, "You are living stories that this outbreak can be stopped" and stressing that "Local communities are at the heart of the solution and success depends on their trust and engagement" [1].

The ceremony in Bunia on June 21 marked a rare moment of optimism amid the ongoing outbreak. Health authorities continue to monitor and provide treatment as efforts to control the virus persist.