Nigeria confirms Ebola case as virus spreads westward in Africa
A woman who travelled from Uganda has tested positive for Ebola in Nigeria's capital, marking the virus's arrival in the country.
At a glance
- Woman who travelled from Uganda tested positive for Ebola in Abuja
- Patient showed symptoms on 7 October and was hospitalised four days later
- This is Nigeria's first confirmed case in the current outbreak
- The virus has now spread westward from Uganda into Nigeria
Nigeria's health ministry has confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja after a woman arriving from Uganda tested positive for the virus. The woman developed symptoms on 7 October and was admitted to a hospital in the capital four days later, where she received her diagnosis.
The exact date of the woman's arrival in Nigeria remains unclear. The case marks the spread of the outbreak into Africa's most populous nation.
Why it matters
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country. Confirmation of Ebola there signals the outbreak's geographic expansion and raises concerns about potential further spread across the region.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — WorldNigeria confirms Ebola case as outbreak spreads into western Africa
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.