The Federal Government says genomic analysis of Nigeria’s imported Ebola virus disease (EVD) case shows that the virus appears closely related to the one identified in Kenya’s index case.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, gave the update at a news conference in Abuja on Friday night.
Pate said the analysis was conducted with support from public health laboratories at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and Prof. Christian Happi’s laboratory at Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State.
“The case appears to be closely related to the index case identified in Kenya. That is all we can say at this stage based on the genomic analysis.
“There is no evidence that travel by the index case in Kenya links it to Nigeria, but the viruses appear to be related,” he said.
Pate said the finding could affect how authorities understand the virus’s transmission route, but more evidence was needed. He stressed that the relationship between the viruses did not, by itself, establish how the infection reached Nigeria.
“That may or may not change our understanding of the route of transmission, given that the virus itself takes time to change,” he said.
Nigeria still has only one confirmed case, Pate said, while authorities continue contact tracing, quarantine and testing of identified contacts.
“The contacts have been traced and quarantined. We are conducting additional tests; some are negative, while others are pending,” he said.
He said the government had activated the response through the Incident Management System, coordinated by the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Efforts are also being intensified to strengthen laboratory capacity, case management, public communication, and infection prevention and control in health facilities, he said. Health workers will receive training on protecting themselves while triaging patients and managing suspected cases.
“All hospitals should be sensitised, and health workers should be aware and notify public health authorities when there are suspected cases,” he said.
Pate said public health authorities would continue to raise awareness of preventive measures, including handwashing and basic hygiene. He explained that Ebola is not transmitted through the air but through direct contact with infected body fluids.
He urged Nigerians to get information from credible public health sources, including the NCDC, the ministry, the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. He also cautioned against panic driven by unverified social media information.
Pate said the government would continue to provide updates and work to prevent the virus from spreading into communities.
“We are reassuring Nigerians that we will continue to work diligently to contain this virus as much as possible and avoid a situation where it spills over into communities.
“We call on Nigerians to remain vigilant but calm. There is no need to panic, but it is important to follow the public health preventive measures that have been identified,” he said.
