As in previous, smaller outbreaks, children are underrepresented among Ebola patients in the current epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, those under 15 made up 13 percent of cases in the epidemic’s first nine months, though they accounted for about 43 percent of the population. They may be less exposed to major risk factors, such as caring for sick relatives or preparing bodies for burial.

Young people tend to fare better than adults in their 40s or older when they do contract the disease, although some studies have shown that very young children, those under 5, are more vulnerable than older children and young adults. Researchers speculate that the reason may be their immature immune systems, or the possibility that they are exposed to a larger initial dose of virus through close contact with their mothers. Children under 15 as a whole in the current outbreak do not have an overall survival advantage, according to W.H.O. statistics.

At the center here, half of the children under 15 have survived, a rate slightly, but not significantly, higher than that of patients over all. Sixteen children in that age group have been discharged or have died since the center opened in mid-September, after being built by the charity Save the Children. Seven are now being treated, as a recent surge in patients has filled the 26-bed confirmed ward to capacity.

Junior, who weighed 44 pounds, seemed very ill at admission. He had no relatives to take care of him, and staff members, sweltering in their protective suits, could not always stay long enough to provide comfort. Like the two boys with whom he would share the ward, his viral load was fairly high, a bad sign. He was given an intravenous line and oral liquids with electrolytes to combat dehydration.