LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case in Abuja after a woman arriving from Uganda tested positive for the virus, the Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.
The patient began experiencing symptoms on Oct. 7 and was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja on Oct. 11, where she was diagnosed with Ebola.
Health Minister Muhammad Pate said authorities have started tracing 44 contacts of the patient. “We are doing everything possible to contain this case by tracing all the contacts the individual may have had,” he stated.
Uganda, which previously reported Ebola cases, was later declared free of the disease.
Nigeria is the latest nation to report an Ebola infection after neighboring Kenya confirmed its first case earlier this month, having recorded nine cases to date.
Two weeks ago, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control announced heightened surveillance and preparedness measures following Kenya’s detection of the virus.
“These efforts have focused on early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of health care workers,” the agency said.
The spread of Ebola beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo has reinforced concerns about rapid transmission of the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has infected more than 9,000 people and caused over 4,300 deaths.
Also Read
- Missed Deadlines Aren’t Always an Accountability Problem. Here’s What Leaders Overlook.
- Pakistani Police Detain Suspect in $126 Million U.S. Postage Fraud Case
- Healthcare Sector Surges, CVS Health Poised for Long‑Term Breakout
- CDC Reports Third U.S. Measles Death, Tally Rises Above 4,500 Cases This Year