Ebola: Genomics links Nigeria case to Kenya index case, Pate says

Genomic analysis has found a close relationship between the Ebola virus detected in Nigeria’s confirmed case and the virus from Kenya’s index case. Nigerian Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate said there is currently no evidence that the Kenyan index case travelled to Nigeria, and that genetic similarity alone cannot establish the route of transmission. Nigeria is continuing contact tracing and quarantine, testing, surveillance, and stronger infection-prevention measures in healthcare facilities. Pate stressed that Ebola is not airborne and spreads through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.