Genomic analysis of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has linked the virus genetically to a strain identified in Kenya, although investigations are still ongoing to determine whether the cases are epidemiologically connected.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this on Friday.
Pate cautioned that genetic similarity alone does not establish a direct transmission link.
The findings come amid questions over where the infected woman contracted the virus, following a clarification by Uganda’s Ministry of Health that she reportedly travelled through the country after visiting the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for business in early October.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Director-General of Health Services, Charles Olaro, the Ugandan ministry said the woman showed no symptoms while passing through the country. It added that her transit through Uganda did not establish where she contracted the virus.
The ministry said Uganda had no confirmed active Ebola cases at the time of the statement, adding that the location of exposure remained under investigation. Further information on the woman’s travel itinerary and clinical history, it said, would assist investigations and contact tracing.
“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here. The location of exposure remains under investigation,” the Uganda ministry said.
Uganda declared itself Ebola-free in July 2026 after completing its outbreak response and recording no further transmission.
Pate said the genomic analysis was conducted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, led by Prof. Christian Happi.
He said further investigations were needed to establish the relationship between the Nigerian and Kenyan cases.
Contacts identified through the investigation remain under active monitoring, with some testing negative while results for others are pending, the minister added.
The government said surveillance, laboratory capacity, case management, risk communication and infection prevention and control measures were being strengthened to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
Healthcare facilities have also been directed to promptly identify and report suspected cases to public health authorities, while healthcare workers are to receive further training and sensitisation.
The NCDC said it would begin issuing daily public updates on the Ebola situation from Saturday, October 24, to provide information as investigations and response efforts continue.
Pate urged Nigerians to observe recommended safety precautions and avoid spreading unverified information.
He advised the public to rely on updates from the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
