The international well being company stated it was intently monitoring the scenario and would proceed to confirm journey and commerce measures launched in response to the outbreak, whereas commonly reassessing its danger evaluation as new developments emerge.
Nigeria confirmed one case of the illness on October 20, making it the fifth nation to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared within the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, 2026.
According to WHO, the affected person is a lady with a current journey historical past to Uganda. Her signs started on October 7, 4 days after arriving in Nigeria, and she or he sought therapy at a non-public well being facility in Abuja on October 11. Laboratory assessments confirmed the an infection on October 20.
The girl is at the moment in isolation and receiving medical care, whereas 44 contacts have been recognized and are being monitored. Investigations are ongoing to determine the seemingly supply of an infection and reconstruct her full journey and publicity historical past.
WHO stated it was working with Nigerian well being authorities and companions to strengthen response measures, together with case investigation, contact tracing, an infection prevention and management, and the availability of important provides comparable to private protecting gear for well being staff.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident administration system to coordinate the response, whereas an infection prevention and management measures are being strengthened on the personal well being facility the place the affected person initially sought care.
The company additionally urged international locations throughout the area to maintain excessive ranges of preparedness because the outbreak continues to evolve within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It disclosed that Kenya had recorded 9 circumstances linked to an imported an infection in current weeks.
WHO referred to as on international locations to strengthen illness surveillance, examine alerts promptly, guarantee laboratories can safely take a look at suspected circumstances and hold fast response and scientific groups prepared for speedy deployment.
It additionally urged authorities to bolster an infection prevention and management in private and non-private well being services, inventory important medical provides, interact communities and heighten monitoring at factors of entry.
The company pressured that sustained preparedness was important to stopping additional transmission, noting that “Sustained readiness is essential to detect cases early, prevent onward transmission and protect health workers and communities.”
