The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will hold an emergency meeting of African health ministers on Oct. 28 following Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported Ebola case.
The meeting comes as the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain spreads across Central, Eastern and Western Africa, raising concerns about cross-border transmission and the continent’s readiness to contain the disease.
Africa CDC announced the planned “extraordinary virtual meeting” on Wednesday, saying it would focus on strengthening coordination, supporting affected countries and improving preparedness.
The agency’s Director-General, Jean Kaseya, said the meeting would help “strengthen our collective response.”
“Ebola is now affecting three regions of Africa.
"The situation demands urgent action and political leadership at the highest level,” Kaseya said in a post on X.
Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of the virus on Oct. 20.
The patient, a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda, is receiving treatment in isolation in Abuja.
The World Health Organization said the patient’s symptoms began on Oct. 7, four days after her arrival in Nigeria.
She sought medical care on Oct. 11, and laboratory tests confirmed the infection on Oct. 20.
Health authorities have identified 44 contacts and are monitoring them to prevent further transmission.
The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May.
More than 9,500 people have been infected, with nearly half dying, according to reports cited by Deutsche Welle.
The Bundibugyo strain is particularly concerning because there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for it.
The WHO has urged countries to maintain strong surveillance, prepare health facilities and strengthen screening at entry points. It has also advised against travel and trade restrictions against affected countries.
The Africa CDC meeting is expected to support a coordinated regional response.
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