Nigeria confirms first Ebola case as outbreak spreads in Africa

· Health · Nigeria · Kenya

Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in the latest African outbreak, saying the patient was a woman who had recently flown to the capital Abuja from Uganda. Kenya reported its ninth infection, a close family member of its first patient. Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya warned of an 'extremely serious threat' and urged the international community to send funding, medical supplies and health workers. The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-May and has spread across the continent, raising fears of wider transmission. Nigeria's health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, identified the patient in Abuja.

Why it matters:Ebola reaching new countries raises the risk of wider transmission and tests Africa's disease surveillance and the global response.

Key points

  • Nigeria's patient arrived in Abuja on a flight from Uganda
  • Kenya's ninth case is a relative of its first patient
  • Africa CDC is calling for funding and medical supplies

Sources (original reporting)

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