By Salma El-Sakka
Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case of the current outbreak after a woman traveling from Uganda tested positive for the virus in Abuja. The health ministry announced that the woman began showing symptoms on October 7 and was admitted to an Abuja hospital four days later, where she received a diagnosis.
Contact Tracing and Investigation Underway
Health Minister Muhammad Pate stated that authorities have already begun tracing 44 individuals identified as contacts of the patient to contain the spread. While the patient transited through Uganda, the Nigerian ministry noted that the exact location of exposure remains under investigation, emphasizing that Uganda has no confirmed active Ebola cases.
According to Uganda's ministry of health, the patient is a Nigerian woman who had been on a business trip to the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo before traveling through Uganda.
Regional Health Threat Escalates
The detection of the virus in Nigeria comes as the outbreak spreads across western and eastern Africa. Kenya has already reported nine confirmed cases this month. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, described the situation as an extremely serious threat, noting the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has become the most geographically extensive in history.
The Bundibugyo virus has infected more than 9,500 people and killed over 4,600. Health officials warn that this outbreak is the fastest-spreading on record and could potentially exceed the fatalities of the 2014-2016 West African epidemic, which claimed 11,000 lives.
Nigeria Strengthens Preparedness
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has been increasing surveillance and preparedness efforts, focusing on early detection, isolation, laboratory diagnosis, and the protection of healthcare workers. A dedicated Ebola taskforce was established by Nigerian authorities in June following the initial outbreak in the Congo.
