The Federal Government says genomic analysis of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case indicates that the virus is closely related to the one identified in Kenya, although no direct epidemiological link has been established.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during an update on the country’s response to the outbreak alongside the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris.
Pate explained that further investigations were ongoing to determine the possible route of transmission and establish how the infection entered Nigeria.
He said Nigeria still had only one confirmed case, adding that contact tracing, quarantine measures and laboratory testing were continuing to prevent further transmission.
According to the minister, some test results from identified contacts had returned negative, while others were still pending.
He disclosed that genomic analysis was conducted using laboratory infrastructure at the NCDC and facilities associated with Professor Christian Happi at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State.
Pate stressed that although the Nigerian case appeared genetically related to the virus identified in Kenya, investigators had not established a direct connection between the two cases.
The development comes amid an outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare form of Ebola virus disease, affecting several African countries.
The World Health Organisation reported on October 20 that Nigeria had confirmed one imported case in the Federal Capital Territory following the patient’s recent travel from Uganda. The agency also reported cases in Kenya linked to an imported infection.
The Nigerian index patient, a woman, reportedly developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11. Laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare initially reported that 44 close contacts had been identified for monitoring as authorities worked to establish the source of infection and reconstruct the patient’s travel and exposure history.
Meanwhile, the NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the agency was strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, case management and public risk communication through its incident management system.
Idris added that infection prevention and control measures were being reinforced in health facilities, with additional training planned to help healthcare workers identify and manage suspected cases safely.
He urged hospitals to remain vigilant and promptly notify public health authorities whenever suspected cases were identified.
The NCDC chief also advised Nigerians to observe basic hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, and obtain information from credible public health authorities.
He explained that Ebola is not transmitted through the airborne route but spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or through contaminated materials.
Idris further cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media, urging Nigerians to rely on updates from the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pate reassured Nigerians that the country had the public health infrastructure and expertise required to respond to the outbreak, urging citizens to remain calm and cooperate with health authorities.
The World Health Organisation has also advised countries to strengthen disease surveillance, investigate suspected cases promptly, improve laboratory testing and maintain strict infection prevention and control measures, including heightened monitoring at points of entry.
