By George Omagbemi
The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a health advisory to American citizens living in the country following Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare form of Ebola.
In a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, October 21, the mission said Nigerian health authorities were conducting contact tracing and other public health measures following confirmation of the infection.
The advisory urged Americans who may have been exposed to the virus to contact a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms consistent with Ebola. It advised them to seek medical guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The mission also recommended that travellers monitor their health for 21 days after leaving an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak. It reminded Americans to continue taking malaria-prevention medication as prescribed, noting that malaria symptoms can resemble those of Ebola.
Travellers were further advised to check whether their insurance policies cover medical evacuation should they become seriously ill while overseas.
Nigeria confirmed the case on October 20 after laboratory testing identified the Bundibugyo strain in a woman receiving treatment in Abuja. The patient had a recent travel history involving Uganda, while investigations continue to establish where she contracted the virus.
According to the World Health Organisation, the patient is in isolation and receiving medical care. Nigerian authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring as efforts to prevent further transmission continue.
The US Mission directed citizens to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for additional information and travel-health guidance.
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