WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
  • The Ebola outbreak first declared in Congo has reached Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and France.
  • At least 4,600 of 9,500 infected people in Congo have died.
  • Nigeria is tracing 44 contacts after confirming an infection in a woman who arrived from Uganda.
  • Uganda’s outbreak ended Aug. 27, while Kenya has reported nine cases and identified 135 contacts.

The fast moving Ebola outbreak first declared in eastern Congo in the middle of May has now reached four other countries. Two of those countries have active cases, while the virus has traveled farther across Africa than any previous Ebola outbreak.

Across Congo, at least 4,600 people have died among 9,500 people infected. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, for which there is no approved vaccine or drug.

The World Health Organization has described it as the fastest growing Ebola outbreak in history. Within Africa, cases have been recorded across the central, western and eastern regions, giving the outbreak a presence in three regions.

The spread has repeatedly exposed what appears to be lax disease surveillance. Most initial cases were confirmed long after patients began showing symptoms or after they had already traveled, complicating efforts to track the virus.

MORE NEWS: One Face Photo Could Expose Hidden Clues to Cancer Survival

Nigeria became the latest affected country on Tuesday after confirming an Ebola infection in Abuja. The patient was a woman who had arrived from Uganda about two weeks before the case was announced.

The woman began showing symptoms on Oct. 7. She was admitted to a private hospital in the Nigerian capital on Oct. 11 and was later diagnosed with Ebola.

Officials have not established when she entered Nigeria. Health Minister Muhammad Pate said authorities had begun tracing 44 people identified as her contacts and were “doing everything possible to contain this case.”

Uganda confirmed an outbreak on the same day as neighboring Congo after detecting Ebola in a man traveling from Congo. Health authorities said the first Ugandan cases involved Congolese patients who crossed the border while seeking treatment for an illness that had not yet been identified.

With ongoing concerns about highly processed foods and long term health risks, have you reduced your consumption of ultra processed foods this year?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from Being Healthy News, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Those patients entered Uganda before it was known that they had Ebola. Their movements made the country one of the earliest places beyond Congo to record cases connected to the outbreak.

WHO declared the Ugandan outbreak over on Aug. 27 after the country recorded 20 confirmed cases. Of that total, 15 patients were from Congo.

Eighteen people recovered in Uganda, while two died. Authorities identified and monitored more than 800 contacts, and the country said Tuesday that it had no new cases.

Kenya announced its first Ebola case on Oct. 6. The patient was a man who traveled from Congo through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on Oct. 3.

Close

MORE NEWS: How a Calf Injury May Have Sent Dangerous Blood Clots Into Jalen Hurts’ Lungs

The man tested positive for Ebola on Oct. 5 and died that same day. Since then, the number of cases reported in Kenya has risen to nine.

The Kenyan cases include four relatives of the first patient and four health workers. Together with the initial patient, those infections account for the nine cases confirmed by authorities.

Officials have identified 135 contacts connected to the nine patients. Of those contacts, 134 were in quarantine as authorities continued efforts to monitor people who may have been exposed.

Kenya’s Health Ministry said there was still no evidence that transmission had moved beyond known contacts of the first patient. Even so, Kenya remains one of the two countries where the outbreak is described as active.

France became the first and only country outside Africa to record a case in this outbreak. The country confirmed the positive Ebola case in June in a doctor returning from Congo.

The doctor had taken part in a humanitarian mission in one of Congo’s virus transmission zones. After returning to France, the individual was placed in the care of a specialized facility.

The patient recovered and was discharged on July 4, according to WHO. France has reported no other case connected to the outbreak, while Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya account for the other affected countries beyond Congo.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or hopeless right now? Have you been withdrawing from people or activities you usually enjoy? Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself, or feeling like things will never improve?

You do not have to handle those feelings alone. Support is available, and talking to someone can make a difference. You can reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to listen and help.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away. Even a small step, like reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, can help create a path forward.