Nigeria Confirms First Ebola Case as Bundibugyo Strain Raises Regional Concerns

Nigeria has confirmed its first case of Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which is linked to a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The case involves a diplomat whose condition has reportedly deteriorated into multi-organ failure, according to officials who spoke at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said the patient is a woman who travelled from Uganda to Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on October 3.

The development comes amid an expanding Ebola outbreak that was declared in the DRC in mid-May and has spread to several African countries, including neighbouring Uganda.

Olajumoke Babatunde, Director of Public Health Laboratory Services at the NCDC, confirmed that laboratory investigations identified the virus as the Bundibugyo strain.

“We did three levels of tests, but all molecular. The strain was Bundibugyo,” she said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also confirmed the strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Another official disclosed that the patient is a diplomat but did not reveal her nationality. The official added that her condition had progressed to “multi-organ failure”.

Uganda was declared Ebola-free by the WHO in August after recording 20 cases, most of which involved individuals who had travelled from the DRC.

However, concerns over the outbreak have continued to grow across the continent. On Tuesday, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Jean Kaseya described the situation as “an extremely serious threat”. Kenya has also reported its ninth Ebola case and a related death, while the fatality rate in the DRC has approached 50 per cent.

Health authorities in the DRC have reported more than 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths, making the outbreak the deadliest Ebola epidemic in the country’s history.

Africa CDC Calls for Urgent International Action

Kaseya has urged the international community to intensify efforts to contain the outbreak as the virus continues to spread across different parts of Africa.

“My appeal to the international community is urgent: ACT NOW,” he said.

According to the Africa CDC chief, the Bundibugyo outbreak has become the most geographically widespread Ebola outbreak on record, affecting multiple countries across three African regions.

Nigeria has identified 44 contacts linked to the confirmed case and is monitoring them while expanding efforts to trace other individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

The WHO also said infection prevention and control measures were being strengthened at the private hospital where the patient initially sought medical attention.

Nigeria last experienced an Ebola outbreak in 2014, when authorities successfully contained the spread of the disease following the introduction of the virus into the country.

Nigerians Express Confidence in Government Response

The latest development has renewed concerns about Nigeria’s preparedness to prevent further transmission, particularly given the country’s large population and international travel connections.

However, some Nigerians have expressed confidence in the government’s ability to contain the outbreak.

Anthony Ojogho, a civil servant, said he believed the authorities would take the necessary steps to prevent widespread transmission.

“Nigerian governments have always been equal to the task. We contained Ebola, we contained coronavirus and the few cases we have now,” he said.

He added that effective public health measures would be crucial to limiting the spread of the virus.

“If the right steps are being taken, I’m very sure that we’re going to contain to a large extent the spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria,” Ojogho said.