The patient in Nigeria travelled from Uganda, but authorities have not established where the exposure occurred. “The source of exposure is still not known, and the travel history of the patient is being pieced together,” World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Response Official Dr Patrick Otim said.
“This is rapidly evolving. As we get more information, we’ll try to determine where the patient was exposed.”
The patient developed symptoms on October 7 before seeking care at a clinic and being admitted to hospital two days later.
More than 40 close contacts have been identified, while genetic sequencing is underway to determine whether the infection matches the Ebola Bundibugyo virus circulating in the DRC.
Infection-control measures have been strengthened at health facilities across Abuja. “The message is being passed to all private facilities within Abuja and other health facilities within the country to step up,” Otim said.
Nigeria is the fifth country to confirm Bundibugyo Ebola infections this year, following the DRC, France, Uganda and Kenya.
The DRC outbreak has caused more than 4 600 deaths from 9 552 confirmed infections since being declared in May.
About 60% of the deaths occurred outside health facilities, demonstrating the continuing difficulty of identifying infections and stopping community transmission.
Nord-Ubangi became the eighth DRC province to report infections. The province borders the Central African Republic, where continuing violence and displacement could complicate surveillance and containment efforts.
Kenya has recorded nine infections and one death. Authorities traced all 135 contacts linked to the first patient, who had worked in the DRC before travelling to Nairobi through Entebbe.
Uganda recorded 20 confirmed infections and two deaths before declaring the outbreak over in August.
Researchers in the DRC are assessing whether the Ervebo vaccine, developed for Zaire Ebola virus, could provide protection against the Bundibugyo strain. Preliminary results are not yet available. “Ebola does not wait,” WHO Africa Regional Director Dr Mohamed Janabi said.
“It follows movement, exploits gaps and tests the strength of our health systems. It is no longer confined to one place. It is a regional concern.”
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
