From Premium Times Nigeria · Mariam Ileyemi · · 2m
Ebola: Nigeria's imported case doesn't signal outbreak
WHO says Nigeria's single Ebola case won't trigger outbreak.
In brief
WHO says Nigeria's single Ebola case won't trigger outbreak. WHO confirms Nigeria's one imported Ebola case does not mean an outbreak is happening. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
WHO reassures Nigeria
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said one imported case does not mean Nigeria is experiencing an Ebola outbreak.
“one imported case does not by itself mean that nigeria is experiencing an ebola outbreak”
Nigeria confirms first case
Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease after a woman who recently travelled to the country was diagnosed at a private hospital in Abuja.
Case details
![National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official X handle of Mr Ribadu | https://x.com/NuhuRibadu/status/1706387205881581715?s=20]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2024/02/Nuhu-Ribadu-NSA.jpg?w=1883&ssl=1)
The woman developed symptoms after arriving in Nigeria and is currently receiving treatment in isolation in the Federal Capital Territory.
NCDC response
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system while health authorities have begun contact tracing.
44 contacts identified
The 44 identified contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
Case classified as imported
The Nigerian government said the case is currently being treated as an imported infection rather than community transmission.
WHO response
WHO said Nigeria's response demonstrates the importance of early detection and rapid public health action in preventing further transmission.
DRC outbreak context
The DRC reported 9,552 confirmed cases and 4,602 related deaths as of 19 October, based on data up to 18 October.
Kenya cases
Kenya has also recorded imported cases linked to the DRC outbreak with health authorities reporting nine confirmed cases as of 20 October.
Virologist concerns
Virologist Oyewale Tomori raised concerns about the time taken to confirm the Nigerian case and urged health authorities to strengthen diagnostic response.
Tomori's advice
He said health workers should have a higher index of suspicion when treating travellers from areas where Ebola is circulating.
Tomori on contacts
Tomori also urged authorities to prepare for the possibility that additional cases could emerge among the 44 contacts currently being monitored.
WHO's warning
WHO said the evolving situation in the DRC is a reminder for countries across Africa to maintain strong surveillance, laboratory readiness and rapid response capacity.
What happens next
WHO urges Nigerians to remain calm, stay informed and follow advice from public health authorities.
“there is no benefit in fear or misinformation what helps is early reporting cooperation with the health authorities and reliable information from reliable sources”
What it means
WHO confirms Nigeria's one imported Ebola case does not mean an outbreak is happening.
