The Federal Government has said genomic tests show that Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case is closely related to a case identified in Kenya. However, Health Minister Professor Muhammad Pate said there is no confirmed link between the two infections.
Speaking on Friday night alongside Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, Pate said further investigations were needed to establish how the virus entered Nigeria.
“We still have only one confirmed case. The contacts have been traced and quarantined, and we are conducting additional tests. Some of the results are negative, while others are pending,” Pate said.
He explained that tests carried out using NCDC laboratory facilities and those linked to Professor Christian Happi at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, showed similarities between the viruses.
Idris said the NCDC was strengthening surveillance, testing, treatment, public awareness and safety measures in hospitals.
“We are also enhancing infection prevention and control protocols for health workers because that is very important,” he said.
He urged hospitals to report suspected cases quickly and ensure workers follow proper safety procedures.
The World Health Organisation reported on October 20 that Nigeria had recorded one imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory after the patient travelled from Uganda. The female patient developed symptoms on October 7 and tested positive on October 20.
Authorities initially identified 44 close contacts for monitoring.
Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm and follow official health advice.
“We are reassuring Nigerians that we will continue to work diligently to ensure that we contain this virus as much as possible, and that we avoid a situation where it spills over into communities,” he said.
Idris reminded Nigerians that Ebola spreads through close contact with infected people’s body fluids, not through the air.
