Nigeria has reported its first confirmed case of Ebola during the ongoing outbreak, as fears rise about the potential for further spread across Africa. The patient, a woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda, tested positive for the virus, according to the Health Ministry.
The case was confirmed on Tuesday after the woman began showing symptoms on 7 October and was admitted to a private hospital on 11 October. Health Minister Muhammad Pate stated that authorities are tracing 44 people who may have been in contact with her, aiming to contain the outbreak.
This marks an escalation in the outbreak that has seen Kenya report nine cases after confirming its first earlier this month. Dr Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control, described the situation as an “extremely serious threat” due to the nature of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, which has a nearly 50% fatality rate.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had already stepped up surveillance efforts ahead of this confirmation and reinforced preparations for potential outbreaks, which include early detection, contact tracing, and protecting healthcare workers. A task force was established in June to prepare for the virus’s arrival in Nigeria, following the outbreak in Congo.
The spread of Ebola beyond Congo has raised significant concerns, particularly given the rapid transmission of the Bundibugyo strain, which is linked to over 9,000 infections and more than 4,300 deaths globally. Experts warn that this outbreak could surpass the severity of the West Africa outbreak from 2014 to 2016, which claimed 11,000 lives, with Nigeria previously reporting 20 cases during that crisis.
