Nigeria has confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja, the nation’s capital, after a woman who arrived from Uganda tested positive for the virus, prompting authorities to trace 44 people who may have been exposed.
The Health Ministry said the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and was admitted to a private hospital on October 11, where she was subsequently diagnosed with Ebola.
Health Minister Muhammad Pate said authorities were working to identify contacts and prevent further transmission.
Nigeria had introduced measures to strengthen Ebola surveillance and preparedness, including early detection, laboratory testing, patient isolation and contact tracing, following the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The case comes amid the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola across parts of Africa, including countries like Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the outbreak poses a serious regional public health threat.
