WHO pledges support as Nigeria records first imported Ebola case

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pledged to support Nigeria’s efforts to include Ebola following the affirmation of the nation’s first imported case of the illness.

In an announcement published on its web site, the worldwide well being company mentioned it was working with Nigerian well being authorities and companions to strengthen response measures, together with case investigation, contact tracing and an infection prevention and management.

WHO mentioned the support additionally consists of important provides, such as private protecting tools for well being employees.

The growth comes as Nigeria turns into the fifth nation to detect Ebola in reference to an outbreak declared within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 15 May.

The Nigerian authorities confirmed {that a} lady who just lately travelled from Uganda on a world flight had examined optimistic for the illness. She is receiving therapy in isolation at a personal hospital within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, mentioned the lady had no signs throughout her journey however grew to become ailing after arriving in Nigeria.

Mr Pate mentioned officers had recognized 44 contacts, who have been present process quarantine measures.

Strengthening surveillance

WHO mentioned sustained preparedness and strengthened surveillance at factors of entry have been important to detecting instances early, stopping additional transmission and defending healthcare employees and communities.

It urged international locations within the area to stay ready as the outbreak within the DRC continues to evolve.

The company referred to as on governments to take care of illness surveillance techniques, promptly examine alerts, and guarantee laboratories can safely check suspected instances. It additionally urged international locations to maintain rapid-response and medical groups prepared for deployment, strengthen an infection prevention measures in private and non-private well being amenities, and guarantee important provides have been accessible.

WHO additional burdened the significance of participating communities in response efforts.

Despite the outbreak, the company suggested in opposition to imposing journey or commerce restrictions on affected international locations.

Nigeria’s response

Nigerian well being authorities have begun implementing measures to restrict additional transmission.

The personal well being facility the place the affected person sought care is strengthening an infection prevention and management measures. At the identical time, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident administration system to coordinate the response.

Health authorities are additionally working with the aviation sector to acquire passenger manifests and determine individuals who could have been uncovered throughout the affected person’s journey.

In its assertion confirming the case, the federal authorities mentioned it was working with FCT authorities and different companions to guard healthcare employees, sufferers, and the general public.

The authorities cited Nigeria’s expertise in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak, whereas stressing that public cooperation remained important to stopping additional transmission.

It mentioned investigations have been persevering with and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC would offer additional updates.

Members of the general public in search of data or wishing to report a suspected case have been suggested to contact the NCDC’s toll-free line, 6232, which the federal government mentioned operates around the clock.

Ebola is a extreme infectious illness that may trigger severe sickness and dying. Early detection, applicable medical care and efficient public well being measures are essential to enhancing affected person outcomes and limiting transmission.

Nigeria’s earlier outbreak

Nigeria’s first Ebola outbreak started in 2014 after an contaminated traveller from Liberia arrived in Lagos. Authorities responded by means of case detection, isolation and intensive contact tracing.

The nation recorded 19 laboratory-confirmed instances and one possible case, with eight deaths.

WHO subsequently declared Nigeria freed from Ebola transmission on 20 October 2014, after 42 days with no new case.

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Regional outbreak continues

Nigeria’s imported case comes amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak within the DRC, which has been linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus that causes extreme sickness in people. No licensed vaccine is at present authorized particularly for Bundibugyo virus illness.

WHO reported greater than 8,700 confirmed instances and greater than 4,200 deaths within the DRC as of 6 October, with transmission persevering with throughout a number of well being zones.

Kenya reported its first imported case on 6 October, involving a citizen who had lived within the DRC and travelled to Kenya by way of Uganda.

On 20 October, Kenyan authorities confirmed a ninth case involving a detailed member of the family of the first affected person.

Uganda, the place the Nigerian affected person had just lately travelled from, recorded 20 instances between May and June 2026. The nation subsequently declared its outbreak over after finishing the required 42-day interval with no new confirmed case.