Nigeria has confirmed its first case of Ebola in the capital, Abuja, following the diagnosis of a woman who traveled from Uganda. The country’s health ministry reported that the patient began exhibiting symptoms on October 7 and was hospitalized four days later.
Health Minister Muhammad Pate stated that authorities are tracing 44 individuals who had contact with the patient. “We are doing everything possible to contain this case by tracing all the contacts the individual may have had,” he said.
According to Uganda’s health ministry, the woman is a Nigerian who had only transited through Uganda while on a business trip to the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). They clarified that travel through Uganda does not imply that infection occurred within the country, emphasizing that the location of exposure is still under investigation. Uganda currently has no confirmed active Ebola cases.
Nigeria’s confirmation of an Ebola case adds to the growing number of infections in the region. Earlier this month, Kenya reported its first case, which has escalated to nine confirmed infections. Uganda had previously declared itself Ebola-free after a wave of cases.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, described the situation as an “extremely serious threat,” citing a nearly 50% fatality rate for Ebola. He noted that the ongoing Bundibugyo outbreak is the most widespread in history, affecting several countries across three African regions.
In response to the rising threat, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated that it had ramped up surveillance efforts following the outbreak in Kenya and is working to enhance the nation’s preparedness. Their measures focus on early detection, isolation, laboratory diagnosis, and contact tracing.
Nigeria established an Ebola task force in June after observing an outbreak in the DRC that began in mid-May. The latest outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain has already affected over 9,500 people and resulted in more than 4,600 deaths. The World Health Organization indicates this outbreak is on track to surpass the deadliest recorded outbreak in West Africa, which killed over 11,000 between 2014 and 2016.
The situation remains under close monitoring as health officials continue to take preventive measures against further spread.
