Africa CDC will convene African health ministers on October 28 to coordinate the response to the expanding Ebola outbreak, after Nigeria confirmed an imported case in Abuja.
The agency announced the meeting on Wednesday, October 21, calling for stronger cooperation as the outbreak affects different regions of the continent.
Nigeria confirmed the infection on October 20. The patient, a woman with recent travel to Uganda, is in isolation and receiving care. Authorities have identified 44 contacts and are monitoring them while searching for others who may have been exposed. Those contacts are not confirmed cases.
WHO identified the infection as Bundibugyo virus disease. Nigeria’s disease-control agency has activated its incident management system, while infection-control measures are being strengthened at the private Abuja facility where the patient sought treatment.
Investigators are still establishing where she acquired the infection. Travel through Uganda alone does not establish that she became infected there.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Early supportive care can improve survival.
WHO has urged regional readiness, including surveillance, laboratory testing and rapid-response capacity. It advises against restricting travel or trade with affected countries.
