WHO warns ‘more complex’ Ebola outbreak now present in 3 African countries
The WHO warns of a 'more complex' Ebola outbreak as Nigeria confirms its first Bundibugyo-strain case. Kenya, DRC and Nigeria have active cases; the DRC outbreak is the deadliest in its history.
The World Health Organization has warned of a "more complex" Ebola outbreak landscape as the virus spreads across multiple African countries.
"We are facing a more complex outbreak landscape," said Mohamed Janabi, the WHO's regional director for Africa.
Nigeria reported its first case of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on Tuesday, becoming the fourth African country -- and the most populous yet -- to be affected. Health officials are investigating where the patient, the Ugandan-born wife of a Swiss diplomat based in Abuja, was infected. Ugandan authorities rejected suggestions she contracted the virus there, while the WHO said the source of her infection was still being determined. Investigators are examining which health facilities in Abuja she visited after symptoms began.
Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria all have active or recent cases of the Bundibugyo strain. Kenya's health ministry confirmed its first case earlier this month and has since reported eight more. Nigeria is tracing 44 contacts of its first patient.
Neighbouring Uganda has recorded 20 confirmed cases, including 15 imported from the DRC, and two deaths.
The current outbreak is the deadliest in the DRC's history, according to the country's health authorities. The Africa CDC has warned of an "extremely serious threat" as the virus continues to spread across borders.
Source: Al Jazeera English — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.