Nigeria confirms first Ebola case as outbreak spreads

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 01:32 · Archive

Nigeria has confirmed its first case of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, contracted by a woman who arrived from Uganda.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with around 220 million people, has confirmed its first case of Ebola. The patient is a woman who had recently entered the country by plane from Uganda. She was treated for several days at a private hospital in the area of the capital Abuja before being isolated, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

The woman is infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, the predominant variant in the current outbreak. This strain is particularly difficult to contain, as there is neither a vaccine nor a targeted treatment available. Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, said the world is facing 'an extremely serious threat', with a fatality rate of nearly 50 per cent of cases.

The outbreak began in mid-May in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where 9,552 cases and 4,602 deaths have been recorded. Kenya has recorded nine infections and one death, and Uganda has had 20 confirmed cases. Nigeria is the fourth African country in which cases of the Bundibugyo variant have been reported. Nigeria's government has called on all public and private health facilities to maintain 'highest vigilance'.

How it is being reported

• First Ebola case reported in Nigeria, 'serious threat'Nigeria is the latest African country to report an Ebola case, as the outbreak continues to spread across the region, posing "an extremely serious threat".Perth Now · 21 Oct, 01:02
• First Ebola case reported in Nigeria, 'serious threat'Nigeria is the latest African country to report an Ebola case, as the outbreak continues to spread across the region, posing "an extremely serious threat".The West Australian · 21 Oct, 01:02

In this story: Nigeria · Uganda · Kenya · Democratic Republic of Congo · Africa Centers for Disease Control · Jean Kaseya

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