Abuja: The Ebola outbreak declared in eastern Congo in mid-May has now spread across three regions of Africa. Nigeria has confirmed an imported case in Abuja, making it the fifth country affected in this outbreak.
According to Nigeria's health ministry, the patient is a woman with recent travel history to Uganda. Her symptoms began on October 7, and she was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja on October 11. Laboratory tests confirmed the Bundibugyo virus on October 20. She is in isolation and receiving care.
In Congo, 9,552 confirmed cases had been reported as of October 19, with 4,602 deaths, and about 937 patients are hospitalised in isolation. There is no approved vaccine or drug for the Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization has called it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history.
Kenya reported its first case in early October and now has nine, all linked to the first patient. Uganda recorded 20 cases in May and June but was declared free of the outbreak in August. France reported one imported case in June.
Nigeria has identified 44 contacts and is monitoring them. The Africa CDC has convened a high-level meeting of African health ministers for October 28 and urged heightened surveillance at points of entry.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control assesses the risk of importation into Europe as very low. The WHO advises against any restriction on travel to or trade with affected countries. Surveillance has been stepped up at borders in Africa. The United Nations has announced it is scaling up Ebola readiness in 22 countries.