The patient recently travelled from Uganda and began experiencing symptoms on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria.

The patient sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11. Laboratory testing confirmed the Ebola diagnosis on October 20.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the patient remained in isolation and was receiving medical care.

Investigations are underway to establish the likely source of infection and reconstruct the patient’s complete travel and exposure history.

Nigerian health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring. Efforts are continuing to identify other people who may have been exposed.

Infection-prevention and control measures are also being strengthened at the private health facility where the patient received care.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated the national incident-management system to coordinate the response.

WHO and partners are supporting case investigation, contact tracing, infection control and the provision of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.

Nigeria is the fifth country to detect Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease since the outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in mid-May.

More than 9 500 infections and over 4 200 deaths had been recorded in the DRC by October 18, making the outbreak the deadliest in the country’s history.

Uganda declared an earlier outbreak over in late August. Nine linked infections have been reported in Kenya and one in the Netherlands.

No vaccine is currently available for the Bundibugyo virus.

WHO said rapid detection, timely monitoring of contacts and effective infection controls were essential to prevent further transmission.

The organisation urged countries across the region to maintain strong disease surveillance and ensure that laboratories could safely test suspected infections as the DRC outbreak continued evolving.

WHO has not recommended restrictions on travel or trade involving affected countries.

Health authorities will continue monitoring the 44 identified contacts while investigating whether other people encountered the patient during travel or after arrival in Nigeria.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–