Nigeria Confirms First Ebola Case of Current Outbreak
Nigeria's government said on Tuesday it confirmed its first Ebola case. Tests confirmed the infection in a woman who had come from Uganda.
She began showing symptoms on 7 October. Four days later she was admitted to a hospital in Abuja, Nigeria.
Nigerian authorities found 44 contacts and kept the woman apart for treatment. Ugandan officials said she had only passed through Uganda.
Where she was infected is still under investigation. The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain.
It began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May. Reports describe it as spreading across Africa and into western Africa.
Kenya confirmed its first case earlier this month. Kenya has since recorded nine infections among contacts of its first patient.
Jean Kaseya leads the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He warned the outbreak is an “extremely serious threat.” He urged the world to send funding, medical supplies and health workers. Health officials praised Nigeria for being open about the virus spread.
Key Terms 3
- Bundibugyo strain A type of Ebola virus.
- contacts People who may have been near an infected person.
- Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A group that tracks and fights diseases across Africa.