The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa is becoming increasingly complex following Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
The warning comes as the outbreak, which began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), spreads across several countries, raising concerns about cross-border transmission and the capacity of health authorities to contain further infections.
Nigeria confirmed its first case on October 20 after a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda tested positive for the virus in Abuja.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said the emergence of the infection in Nigeria had added a new dimension to the public health emergency.
“We are facing a more complex outbreak landscape. Nigeria has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease,” Janabi said during an online media briefing on Thursday.
According to WHO, the patient returned to Abuja on October 3 after travelling to Uganda, where she had been since September 16. She reportedly travelled aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight, transiting through Addis Ababa.
Authorities are investigating her travel and exposure history to determine how she contracted the virus.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General, Jean Kaseya, said the woman was originally from Uganda but lived in Abuja. He also clarified that there was no confirmed evidence that she had travelled to the DRC, contrary to earlier suggestions by Ugandan authorities.
Nigeria Intensifies Contact Tracing
Nigerian health authorities have identified 44 contacts linked to the confirmed case and are monitoring them for possible symptoms.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident management system, while infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened at the private health facility where the patient received treatment.
However, concerns have emerged over the patient’s condition. An NCDC official previously reported that she had developed multiple organ failure, highlighting the severity of the infection.
WHO has called on countries across the region to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing and infection prevention measures to reduce the risk of further transmission.
DRC Records Thousands of Infections
The outbreak has hit the Democratic Republic of the Congo particularly hard, with thousands of confirmed infections and deaths reported since May 2026.
WHO’s situation report, based on data as of October 19, recorded 9,637 confirmed cases and 4,646 confirmed deaths in the DRC, underscoring the scale of the emergency.
Kenya has also reported nine cases linked to the regional outbreak, further demonstrating the risk of international spread.
The Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, making early detection, supportive medical care and effective infection control particularly important.
Africa CDC has described the situation as an extremely serious threat, warning that the outbreak requires stronger coordination among affected countries and international partners.
Nigeria Recalls 2014 Ebola Response
The latest case has revived memories of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people across several countries between late 2013 and 2016.
Nigeria successfully contained its outbreak that year, recording 19 infections and seven deaths.
The experience has strengthened confidence in the country’s ability to respond to public health emergencies, although health experts have raised concerns about the time taken to identify and confirm the latest infection.
WHO has urged countries to maintain heightened vigilance, strengthen preparedness at points of entry and ensure that suspected cases are identified and isolated promptly.
Uganda, meanwhile, has rejected suggestions that the patient’s recent stay in the country automatically means she contracted the virus there. The source of her infection remains under investigation.
The evolving situation has reinforced calls for regional cooperation, accurate public information and rapid public health action to prevent further spread of the disease.
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