Health · 2026-10-23 · Morning briefing

WHO warns of complex Ebola outbreak as virus reaches Nigeria

The World Health Organization has warned of a “complex” Ebola outbreak after the virus spread to Nigeria, marking the first case in West Africa linked to the current epidemic. An imported case of the Bundibugyo strain was detected in Abuja, the capital, in the wife of a diplomat who had travelled from Uganda. Nigeria is now the fourth African country affected, joining the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya, which has reported nine cases since October.

The outbreak originates in the DR Congo, where it has become the deadliest in the country's history, causing over 4,000 deaths from more than 9,000 confirmed cases since mid-May. The Bundibugyo strain is particularly challenging as it currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. In response, Nigeria's health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, stated that an undisclosed number of high-risk contacts have been quarantined.

The case revives memories of the 2013-2016 West African Ebola epidemic. During that crisis, which killed over 11,000 people across the region, Nigeria successfully contained the virus within its borders, limiting its own toll to just 19 infections and seven deaths.

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• WHO warns of complex Ebola outbreak as virus reaches Nigeria
• WHO warns more complex Ebola outbreak now present in 3 African countries
• Ebola Outbreak in Africa Reaches Widest Expansion Ever
• Ebola disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus – Multi-country – 2026
• WHO Warns Of Complex Ebola Outbreak As Virus Spreads To Nigeria From East Africa

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