The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has said genomic analysis shows that Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case is closely related to a case identified in Kenya.
Pate disclosed this on Friday during a briefing in Abuja, noting that further investigations were needed to establish whether the two cases were epidemiologically connected.
He said the genetic findings did not establish a direct transmission link between the Nigerian patient and Kenya’s index case.
“Based on the genomic analysis, there is no evidence of travel of that index case in Kenya that links it to Nigeria, but the viruses are appearing to be related,” the minister said.
According to Pate, the 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 Professor Christian Happi.
He said Nigeria still had only one confirmed Ebola case, adding that health authorities were tracing contacts, monitoring those exposed and conducting additional tests.
Some of the test results have returned negative, while others are still pending, he said.
The minister added that the Federal Government was strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory testing, case management and infection prevention measures to prevent further transmission.
He urged hospitals to promptly report suspected cases and ensure healthcare workers followed established safety procedures when attending to patients.
Also speaking at the briefing, NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the agency was intensifying public health surveillance and would provide regular updates on the outbreak.
Idris urged Nigerians to observe basic hygiene measures, including regular handwashing, and to rely on information from recognised health authorities.
Pate advised Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, stressing that the genetic similarity between the viruses did not, on its own, establish how the infection reached Nigeria.
The Federal Government said investigations and contact-tracing activities would continue as authorities work to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
