Genomic sequencing has revealed that the Ebola virus detected in Nigeria’s recently reported imported case is highly similar to the strain identified in Kenya’s first reported imported case, differing by only one mutation.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle, describing the finding as an outcome of genomic analysis conducted by Nigerian research teams.
The development comes as the country sustains public health measures to contain the threat while awaiting the results of further investigations and testing.
The minister commended the sequencing teams at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer’s University, Ede, as well as researcher Christian Happi, for their contributions to the analysis.
He said the government was continuing to implement public health control measures while further investigations and tests were being conducted, underscoring the importance of evidence-based action in responding to the public health emergency.
Pate also stressed the need for international cooperation and solidarity in tackling the threat, acknowledging the contributions of African countries, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organisation (WHO), technical experts and other international partners.
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Among those acknowledged were WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya; Professor Aliko Ahmed; and the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians, urging citizens and international partners to work together in supporting the country’s response.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome the public health emergency, drawing parallels with the country’s successful response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
