Nigeria confirms first case Ebola outbreak

Nigeria has confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja after a woman who arrived from Uganda tested positive for the virus, with health authorities tracing 44 people who may have come into contact with her.

The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the case on Tuesday, raising concerns over the risk of further transmission in the country.

According to the ministry, the woman began showing symptoms on October 7 and was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja on October 11 before testing positive for Ebola.

Health Minister Muhammad Pate said authorities were working to identify and monitor people who had contact with the patient.

“We are doing everything possible to contain this case by tracing all the contacts the individual may have had,” Pate said.

The development comes as health authorities across the region intensify surveillance following reports of Ebola cases in East Africa.

Uganda, where the woman had travelled from, had previously reported cases but was subsequently declared free of the virus, according to the report.

Kenya, which shares a border with Uganda, has also confirmed Ebola infections, with nine cases reported so far.

Two weeks ago, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it was strengthening surveillance and preparedness following the detection of Ebola in Kenya.

The agency said its measures included early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers.

The latest case adds to concerns over the regional spread of the Bundibugyo virus, an Ebola strain associated with outbreaks in parts of Central and East Africa.

Health authorities face the task of identifying potential exposures and preventing further transmission as investigations continue.