A diplomat infected with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Abuja has reportedly developed multi-organ failure. Meanwhile, federal and state authorities are stepping up their response.
Officials have not named the patient or revealed her nationality.
Patient’s Condition Worsens
Olajumoke Babatunde, Director of the Public Health Laboratory Service at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), gave the update on Wednesday. She spoke at an emergency meeting of the agency in Abuja.
She said laboratory teams ran three levels of molecular tests. All of them pointed to the Bundibugyo strain. It is the same strain driving the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Scientists first identified the virus in Uganda in 2007. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It can also spread through contaminated materials. Casual contact with someone who shows no symptoms does not ordinarily spread it.
How the Case Unfolded
The Federal Government confirmed the case on Tuesday. The patient is a woman who flew into Nigeria from Uganda on October 5.
She developed symptoms on October 7. Four days later, she sought care at a private hospital in Abuja. Her symptoms did not improve with malaria treatment. Her travel history then raised doctors’ suspicion, and they alerted the health authorities.
Dr Odianosen Ehiakhamen, Incident Manager of the National Ebola Disease Response, said officials identified 44 contacts. Most are health workers and support staff at the hospital. He noted that Nigeria had been building its preparedness since May.
FG Urges Calm
Health Minister Prof Muhammad Pate addressed State House correspondents on Wednesday evening. He had just met President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa.
Pate described the case as a single imported infection. He said authorities were containing it. He asked Nigerians not to panic and not to share rumours.
He also said Nigeria is working with Uganda, which has its own outbreak. He pointed to the country’s success against Ebola in 2014 and said strong public health institutions remain in place.
The minister added that the NCDC is working round the clock. The Presidential Task Force on Ebola is also active. Another government meeting will hold on Thursday.
Pate also raised a concern about public behaviour. He said government cannot stop people who were told to isolate but went to the market instead.
According to a source, President Tinubu ordered a review of Nigeria’s Ebola response plan at the National Security Council meeting on October 15. Pate confirmed the review is under way.
No-Fly List for 46 Contacts
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has ordered the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to bar 46 people from flying for 21 days. They comprise 44 people who met the patient at the hospital after her symptoms began, plus two of her domestic staff.
The 21-day window matches the period in which symptoms normally appear. Keyamo said the airlines must be told immediately. Officials are also isolating the contacts until they are confirmed free of the virus.
The minister further directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to tighten Ebola surveillance at all international airports. The measures include:
- Temperature checks
- Travel history tracking
- Digital health declarations
- Closer coordination with the NCDC
The authority has also begun installing temperature-screening cameras. Passengers flagged by the cameras will face further medical checks. Suspected cases will be isolated. Frontline workers are receiving hand sanitisers and protective equipment.
NCDC Moves Into Response Mode
The NCDC held its first incident management meeting on Wednesday. It said it was finalising an incident action plan. Teams are already handling case management, surveillance, contact tracing, infection control and public communication.
The agency stressed that contacts are not automatically infected. Officials monitor them only because of possible exposure.
Lawmakers Press for Action
The Senate wants mandatory health screening for all arrivals at airports, seaports and designated land borders. Senator Francis Faduyile of Ondo South sponsored the motion. He noted that the NCDC rates Nigeria’s risk of importing Ebola as high.
Senators also asked for emergency funds. They want treatment and isolation centres ready in all 36 states and the FCT. They further called for an update to the Quarantine Act of 1976.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged agencies to act early. He warned that a spread would create a major problem. Senator Adamu Aliero said the health ministry had already started on most of the proposals, but he cautioned against complacency.
The Senate gave its committees four weeks to inspect entry points and report back.
The House of Representatives took a similar line. Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi in Abia State, moved the motion. He raised concerns about slow case detection, weak public awareness and shortages of infection-control supplies.
The House asked the Finance Ministry to release outstanding appropriated funds to health agencies. It also asked the health ministry and the NCDC to work out what extra money the response needs.
States Prepare
Several states have outlined their steps:
- Anambra: It followed up 40 persons of interest. Thirty-three have completed monitoring and been cleared. Seven remained under follow-up as of October 20.
- Ogun: It reported no case as of October 21. Health Commissioner Dr Tomi Coker said 111 persons of interest have finished monitoring and been discharged.
- Niger: It has activated emergency operations and is completing an isolation centre.
- Yobe: It has set up surveillance and contact-tracing teams in all 17 local government areas. Isolation centres are available in Bade, Potiskum and Damaturu.
- Ekiti: It trained laboratory staff and health workers. It also stocked protective equipment and ran simulation exercises at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti.
- Enugu: It reactivated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre. Commissioner Prof. George Ugwu said there is no confirmed case in the state. Surveillance around Akanu Ibiam International Airport has been reinforced.
- Kano: Its state disease control centre has also reactivated its emergency operations centre and placed it on high alert.
In Delta State, residents are still waiting to hear what their government is doing.
Outbreak Backdrop
The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on May 16. As of October 11, the DRC had recorded 9,066 confirmed cases and 4,381 deaths, according to WHO figures.
The WHO says no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for Bundibugyo virus disease. Kenya also confirmed an imported case this month.
On June 9, President Tinubu set up a task force under Gbajabiamila and approved N10bn for emergency preparedness. Tougher airport screening followed, along with QR-code health declarations for passengers from high-risk countries.
The US Mission in Nigeria has also issued a health alert. It advises people who may have been exposed to monitor their health for 21 days and seek medical help if symptoms appear.
