WOMAN WHO BECAME THE FIRST TO SURVIVE EBOLA IN SIERRA LEONE BUT LOST 21 RELATIVES TO EBOLA GIVES BIRTH TO A BABY BOY

She became the face of survival in Sierra Leone after becoming the first person to overcome Ebola.

And now Victoria Yillia, who lost 21 relatives to the deadly virus, has given hope to hundreds like her after giving birth to a baby boy - just metres away from the spot where she almost died last year.

She is lucky to be among a handful of Ebola survivors who are able to have healthy babies, doctors said.

Mrs Yillia delivered her child surrounded by nurses and medical staff wearing full protective suits and masks for fear of any lingering infection.

The 20-year-old was told not to nurse the baby until after medics had confirmed there were no traces of the virus in her breast milk.

Only when she was given the all clear did she discuss first names with her husband, Anthony.

'Because I lost all my relatives, God has blessed me and I can start a new family,' she said, softly cradling the boy.

'With this baby, all I have lost has come back to me.'

She gave birth to the healthy boy, weighing 6lbs, on Saturday and the couple decided to name him Barnabas - meaning consolation.

     Pastor Gabriel Abu is pictured holding Barnabas alongside the baby's father Anthony Yillia (right)