Federal Government has stated genomic evaluation of the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, confirmed the virus is genetically related to the virus recognized in a case in Kenya, although additional investigation is required to set up an epidemiological link.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Saturday whereas giving an replace on the state of affairs, noting that the findings present necessary scientific data.
“The findings present necessary scientific data, whereas additional investigations are required to set up whether or not the 2 instances are epidemiologically linked,” Pate stated.
According to the minister, the evaluation was carried out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health, IGH, at Redeemer’s University, Ede, led by Professor Christian Happi.
He recommended each establishments for his or her pace and scientific rigour, whereas reiterating that genetic relatedness between viruses doesn’t, in itself, set up a direct transmission link between instances.
On contact tracing, Pate acknowledged that “recognized contacts of the confirmed case stay underneath energetic monitoring. Some have examined unfavourable, whereas outcomes for others are nonetheless pending”.
He stated the Federal Government was strengthening surveillance, laboratory capability, case administration, threat communication and an infection prevention and management.
“Healthcare services have been reminded to promptly establish and report suspected instances to public well being authorities, whereas extra coaching and sensitisation for healthcare staff will assist the efficient implementation of response protocols,” he added.
He introduced that the director basic of the NCDC acknowledged that the company would start issuing brief day by day updates to the general public from 24 October 2026.
“Remain calm and vigilant, observe all advisable security precautions, comply with official public well being steering and keep away from spreading misinformation or unverified studies,” the minister urged Nigerians.
He suggested the general public to get hold of updates from recognised well being authorities, together with the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organization, WHO, and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Africa CDC.
