Nigeria confirms first Ebola case in current outbreak

Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case in the current outbreak, after a woman who had travelled from Uganda was diagnosed in the capital, Abuja. Health officials have identified 44 close contacts and begun tracing them. [1][2]

The woman is being treated in isolation at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, according to a statement by Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate. The diagnosis was confirmed by laboratory testing on Tuesday, 20 October. [1][2]

The contacts identified so far include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people linked to travel. Nigeria’s government says surveillance has been stepped up and the hospital is receiving support to strengthen infection-control measures. It has urged healthcare facilities nationwide to remain alert and report suspected cases promptly. [1]

The case is the first confirmed in West Africa in the current outbreak, according to Associated Press and Reuters reports carried by Nieuws.nl. The outbreak had been concentrated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda; Kenya has also reported cases this month. [3]

Nigeria said it successfully contained Ebola in 2014. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have asked the public to co-operate with contact-tracing teams. [1]