Nigeria Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Traces 44 Contacts

Nigeria confirmed its first reported Ebola case on October 20, after a woman who had arrived from Uganda tested positive in Abuja, Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said. The woman was isolated and receiving medical care, while public health authorities began tracing 44 people identified as contacts, according to Pate. The laboratory confirmation was made on October 20, Pate said. The patient had been treated for several days at a private hospital in Abuja before the diagnosis, and health teams were monitoring people who may have been exposed there, including healthcare workers, other patients and caregivers. Authorities were also tracing travel contacts. The government said it had intensified surveillance and was supporting the hospital to strengthen infection-prevention measures. Public and private health facilities nationwide were urged to watch for suspected cases, isolate patients promptly and report concerns to public health authorities. Officials also asked people contacted by tracing teams, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to provide information and follow public health advice. Pate said Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body...