WHO urges Africa to strengthen Ebola preparedness

The World Health Organization has urged African countries to strengthen Ebola surveillance and emergency preparedness after Nigeria confirmed an infection in Abuja, as authorities investigate where the patient contracted the virus and work to prevent further transmission.

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare confirmed on Tuesday that laboratory tests had detected Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in a woman who recently arrived in the country from Uganda.

Her symptoms began on Oct 7, four days after her arrival in Nigeria, and she sought care at a private health facility in Abuja on Oct 11. Laboratory test confirmed Bundibugyo virus on Tuesday. The patient is now in isolation and receiving medical care, while health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring.

Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, said the government was working to contain the infection through contact tracing.

"We are doing everything possible to contain this case by tracing all the contacts the individual may have had," he said.

The WHO said it was working with health authorities and partners to strengthen case investigation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and the provision of essential supplies.

The agency urged countries across the region to maintain strong disease surveillance, ensure laboratories can safely test suspected cases and keep rapid response and clinical teams ready for immediate deployment.

Uganda clarified on Tuesday the circumstances of the woman's journey, saying her transit through the country does not establish that she contracted the virus there.

The Health Ministry said preliminary information indicated that the woman was a Nigerian national who had traveled to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for business and transited through Uganda in early October without showing symptoms.

"Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here," the ministry said. "The location of exposure remains under investigation."

Uganda said it had no confirmed active Ebola cases at the time of its statement. It said it was awaiting detailed information from Nigerian authorities on the woman's travel itinerary and clinical history to guide further investigations.

Nigeria's authorities have not disclosed the patient's nationality, while investigations into her travel and exposure history continue.