Nigeria Confirms Ebola Case as Outbreak Spreads into Western Africa
Case in Africa’s most populous country was detected in a woman who had travelled from Uganda
TL;DR
- Nigeria confirmed an Ebola case in its capital, Abuja, in a woman who arrived from Uganda.
- The patient showed symptoms on October 7 and was diagnosed with Ebola in Abuja.
- Authorities are tracing 44 identified contacts of the patient to contain the virus.
- Uganda's health ministry stated the patient only transited through Uganda and that Uganda has no confirmed active Ebola cases.
- This case adds to the regional spread of Ebola, with Kenya also reporting cases.
- The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is described as the most geographically extensive in history with a nearly 50% fatality rate.
- Nigeria had previously stepped up surveillance and preparedness following detections in Kenya and established an Ebola taskforce in June.