Nigeria has confirmed its first case in the current Ebola outbreak, a woman who travelled from Uganda to the capital, Abuja, according to the government. Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said 44 close contacts have been identified and contact tracing has begun.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya has described the outbreak as "the most geographically widespread Ebola outbreak in history", affecting several countries across three African regions.

Nigeria's response

Pate said the woman arrived on an international flight, was admitted to a private hospital and was diagnosed only after several days of care. She is in isolation. He said 44 close contacts had been identified and contact tracing has started.

The case was announced on Tuesday 20 October. Authorities have not said, in the coverage we reviewed, how many of the contacts are showing symptoms.

The wider outbreak

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, health authorities report 4,381 deaths among more than 9,000 confirmed cases, which would make it the country's deadliest epidemic. Kaseya said the death rate in the DRC is approaching 50% and urged the international community to send money, medical supplies and health workers.

Separately, Africa CDC figures reported on 23 October put the outbreak at 4,690 deaths and 9,735 confirmed cases since it began in the DRC in May. The two sets of numbers differ and may cover different dates or areas. The outbreak is reported to involve the Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment.

Kenya declared its ninth case on Tuesday, a 24-year-old man who is a close family member of the first case. Kenya's first case, reported on 6 October, was a businessman who had lived in the DRC. The United States has warned its citizens against travel to Kenya because of health risks.

Uganda's health ministry said there are no confirmed active Ebola cases in the country, and that travel through Uganda does not establish that an infection occurred there.

What we do not yet know

  • The patient's condition and where she was infected.
  • Her travel dates. Reports differ on when she arrived in Abuja, so we have not stated a date.
  • Whether any of the 44 contacts have symptoms.

This is a developing story and will be updated.