Nigeria’s Ebola virus case has been found to be genetically related to the index case identified in Kenya, following genomic analysis, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has said.
Pate disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, while cautioning that investigators had yet to establish a travel link between the two cases.
According to the minister, laboratory analysis showed that the virus detected in Nigeria was closely related to the one identified in Kenya, although the finding does not establish how the virus reached Nigeria.
“We have had additional information on the isolated case from the imported virus,” Pate said.
He explained that the analysis was conducted using facilities at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and laboratories led by Professor Christian Happi at Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State.
“That case appears to be closely related to the case identified in the index case in Kenya,” he said.
Pate stressed that the available evidence did not show that the Kenyan index case travelled to Nigeria, adding that further analysis could provide a clearer understanding of the virus’s transmission route.
“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,” he said.
He added that the finding represented new information that the government had committed to sharing as investigations progressed.
NCDC urges preventive measures
Also speaking at the briefing, NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, called on Nigerians to take responsibility for preventing the spread of Ebola alongside government efforts.
Idris said the public could help reduce transmission by maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, washing hands regularly and observing relevant public health guidance.
He recalled lessons from Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola outbreak, emphasising the importance of public awareness and compliance with preventive measures.
“As we did say in this kind of situation, it’s a joint responsibility of the government, and there are things they expect you to do based on the way this virus is transmitted. They are simple things. It’s a contact issue,” Idris said.
He urged Nigerians to sustain the hygiene practices promoted during previous public health emergencies.
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