Nigeria has confirmed its first Ebola case in the capital, Abuja, after laboratory tests confirmed the viral infection. This marks the latest instance of the deadly viral hemorrhagic fever spreading across the region since a major outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo in May.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate reported that the first patient was a woman who had recently flown to Abuja from Uganda. A 24-year-old man, who was already being held in quarantine, is the latest person to test positive. Health officials have praised the Nigerian authorities for their transparency in reporting the spread of the virus.
Kenya has also recorded nine infections after confirming its first case earlier this month. In response to the widening outbreak, Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya warned of an extremely serious threat and urged the international community to send funding, medical supplies, and health workers.