The latest update comes just three days after the death toll surpassed 500, highlighting the rapid spread of the virus in the Central African country.

According to data compiled by the WHO from Congolese health authorities, the DRC has recorded 1,759 confirmed Ebola cases since the outbreak was declared in mid-May, including 600 confirmed deaths.

The outbreak has also spread beyond the DRC, with neighbouring Uganda reporting two deaths. Ugandan health authorities have confirmed 20 Ebola cases, with 17 patients having recovered.

The WHO said the outbreak in the DRC currently has a case fatality rate of about 34 per cent.

Health officials also disclosed that 285 patients have recovered, while 304 suspected cases are still under investigation.

Although four provinces in northeastern DRC have been affected, Ituri Province remains the epicentre of the outbreak.

The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or licensed treatments.

To improve treatment options, health authorities on July 2 launched a clinical trial to evaluate two potential therapies. The study is assessing the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibody MBP134 and the antiviral drug remdesivir, both individually and in combination.

Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials.

The Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 after several deaths were reported in the mineral-rich Ituri Province, a region that has long been plagued by armed conflict and insecurity.

Speaking in Abuja, the Team Lead for Epidemiology Surveillance in the Division of Global Health Protection at the U.S. CDC’s Global Health Centre, Banji Ipadeola, said the high fatality rate is largely due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

According to him, Lassa fever remains a serious public health threat despite the availability of effective treatment when patients seek medical attention early.

Ipadeola explained that many Nigerians often mistake the disease’s early symptoms, such as fever, headache and body pains, for malaria or typhoid fever, leading to self medication and delays in receiving proper care.

He stressed that prompt testing and treatment significantly improve a patient’s chances of survival, urging individuals experiencing persistent symptoms to visit healthcare facilities without delay.

The epidemiologist noted that Lassa fever is commonly transmitted through contact with food, household items or surfaces contaminated by the urine or droppings of infected rodents.

He added that human to human transmission can also occur through contact with the blood, saliva, urine or other bodily fluids of infected persons, placing healthcare workers, caregivers and family members at increased risk.

Ipadeola identified widespread human exposure to rodents as a major factor contributing to the spread of the disease in Nigeria.

He urged communities to maintain clean environments, improve food storage practices and take steps to eliminate rodents from homes and surroundings as part of efforts to reduce transmission.

The health expert reiterated that early detection, timely treatment and improved hygiene remain critical in reducing deaths associated with Lassa fever across the country.

(NAN)

The case marks the first confirmed Ebola infection recorded on French soil and the first detected outside Africa during the current outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

According to the French Health Ministry, the infected doctor was immediately isolated upon arrival in the country, even before laboratory tests officially confirmed the diagnosis.

Authorities said the patient had recently returned from the DRC, where health officials are battling the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak, declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern province of Ituri.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring developments, according to his office.

Health experts have noted that while the outbreak remains a concern, the overall risk of widespread international transmission is considered low due to Ebola’s relatively limited contagiousness compared to other infectious diseases.

The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.

French health authorities said they are continuing to monitor the situation and implement measures aimed at preventing further transmission.

AFP

Rev. Olamitoke is currently battling end-stage kidney failure. According to the diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev’d Dr. Akinwande Godwin Odubena, the priests has been on dialysis for several months, receiving support from the Diocese of Ijebu North and recently the Diocese of Lagos.

However, medical experts have advised that only a kidney transplant can fully restore his health and save his life.
The transplant surgery with post-operative care, and medications is estimated to cost between Thirty-Seven Million Naira (₦37,000,000) and Forty-Two Million Naira (₦42,000,000).

In an official letter addressed to ACNN, his lordship, the Bishop of Ijebu North, the diocese highlighted that Rev. Olamitoke has during the few years that he has served in the diocese made very impactful service reaching the lowly, counselling the broken-hearted, and faithfully proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Bishop recounted that at Rev. Olamitoke’s 40th birthday Thanksgiving service last year, the priest selflessly requested that all intended gifts and donations should be directed to the small church he pastors instead of himself — a rare demonstration of sacrifice.

Referencing the biblical injunction from James 5:14: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” the Bishop appeals to the entire Body of Christ:
To pray fervently for God’s healing hand upon Rev. Olamitoke and for divine wisdom for the medical team.

The Diocesan specially requests all and sundry to give sacrificially to a special public fundraising for the kidney transplant surgery for Rev’d. Olamitoke.

He equally asked that the appeal be shared widely within the body of Christ, family, friends, and networks to save the servant of God.

This is more than a medical need — it is a rescue mission for a dedicated servant of God. God heals, medicine still remains one of the instruments God uses to make healing available to His people. Therefore, let us rally round to contribute to making the kidney transplant possible for our dearly beloved priest.

Details of where to send your contributions to are right there on the screen.

Bank: First Bank
Account Number: 3101529993
Account Name: OLAMITOKE OLATUSI (OLAMITOKE OLATUSI OJO)

For more details, contact the Diocese of Ijebu North or His Biological Brother, Mr. Olafimihan Olamitoke
On: +234 805 572 9803

The directive was contained in a statement released by the commission on Monday after the consideration of a preliminary report on the May 12, 2026 incident involving EFCC personnel and medical staff of the teaching hospital.

According to the statement, Olukoyede expressed regret over the discomfort caused by the incident to hospital workers and members of the public.

“Pursuant to the receipt and consideration of a preliminary report on the May 12, 2026 incident involving personnel of the Commission and medical staff of the Uyo University Teaching Hospital, the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has directed that an apology be made to Professor Eyo Ekpe, the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of UUTH, and members of the Nigerian Medical Association,” the statement read.

The EFCC chairman reiterated that the wellbeing of Nigerians remains central to the commission’s mandate and assured that a full investigation into the matter would be conducted.

He added that any officer found culpable in the incident would face appropriate disciplinary action.

Olukoyede also stated that the commission would continue to engage relevant stakeholders to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, he maintained that the EFCC would not be distracted from carrying out its anti-corruption mandate across the country.

The chairman further appealed to the Nigerian Medical Association and other professional bodies to continue supporting the commission in its fight against corruption.

The Cable

The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, disclosed this during an interview with Daily Trust, explaining that the individuals were discovered through ongoing contact tracing efforts by health officials.

According to her, the team carried out investigations at the workplace of the foreign national located in Akamkpa Local Government Area, which led to the identification of the affected persons.

She noted that the individuals have been placed under movement restrictions within their homes to prevent any possible spread of the virus.

“We have limited their movement to ensure they do not transmit the infection to others,” she said.

Dr. Ekpenyong also confirmed that the foreign national is currently receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and is responding positively.

She further reminded the public that COVID-19 has not been completely eradicated, despite the global decline in cases over the years.

Residents were advised to continue observing safety measures such as regular hand sanitisation, use of face masks, and adherence to health guidelines.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, had confirmed the reappearance of a COVID-19 case in the state, while assuring residents that necessary public health measures had already been activated to contain the situation.

He emphasized that the virus remains a global concern, noting that international travel continues to pose risks of transmission across borders.

“COVID-19 is a global issue, not limited to Nigeria, but we are taking all necessary steps to control its spread. There is no cause for panic,” he stated.

In a letter released to all Diocesans on Wednesday, 8th of October, His Grace, the Most Reverend Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, the Primate of All Nigeria, has issued a directive through the Office of the General Secretary for the celebration of this day, which aligns with the objectives of the Church’s Health Action Plan.

The Primate strongly encourages all Archbishops and Bishops to ensure that their Clergy participate actively in observing this significant day.

The celebration is intended to recognize the patron saint of physicians and surgeons, St. Luke, and to bring focus to the Church’s commitment to healthcare and well-being.

Korede Akintunde
CoN Communications Officer
8th October, 2025

The patient, who was originally admitted to a de-addiction centre in Ghaziabad, was rushed to the hospital after complaining of excruciating abdominal pain. 

An ultrasound scan revealed multiple metallic objects inside his stomach, prompting an emergency operation led by Dr. Shyam Kumar.

The surgical team performed a complex procedure to carefully extract the foreign items one by one, ensuring no damage to the man’s vital organs. 

Despite the inherent risks of the operation, it was successful, and the patient has since been discharged and is in stable condition.

Following the surgery, the man reportedly disclosed that he had begun swallowing the objects as a desperate act of self-injury.

He told doctors he felt mistreated, frustrated, and deprived of food while at the rehabilitation centre, which led to his agitated state and subsequent attempt to harm himself.

The report noted that such cases are rare but not unprecedented in India. A similar incident in 2022 saw 63 spoons recovered from a patient who was also a drug addict admitted to a rehabilitation centre.

The tragedy was confirmed by the president of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), Tope Osundara. Dr. Rotifa was discovered on the floor of the call room, a space intended for rest. 

According to Osundara, while the doctor was also being treated for malaria, the primary cause of his death was the severe physical strain from overwork.

“Unfortunately, the workload was strenuous, and they had to regularly go over 24-hour shifts. He had reviewed a patient, and afterwards, he went to the call room to rest,” he said.

“Ideally, no one should be on call for even 24 hours. We later discovered he was treating malaria, but adults in Nigeria don’t die of malaria. Malaria is endemic in Nigeria. He had malaria but still had to go and treat a patient.”

“The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. His death was due to overworking.”

Osundara strongly condemned the excessive workloads imposed on doctors in Nigerian hospitals, highlighting that medical professionals are frequently forced to work shifts that exceed 24 hours. 

“The burnout and workload among medical doctors is becoming very worrisome. The overuse of manpower strained his health and led to this painful death. His death was due to overworking,”he said.

“We have cried out and complained repeatedly. What happened is that the resident doctor was on call in the emergency room.”

He emphasized that the unfortunate death was a consequence of the hospital’s over-reliance on a limited number of staff. 

The NARD president called on the government to take immediate action to address the significant shortage of medical staff, improve the welfare of doctors, and implement more humane and sustainable work schedules. 

The incident underscores the critical and often dangerous working conditions faced by medical professionals throughout Nigeria.

Doctors picketed outside hospitals following the breakdown of talks on Thursday, with the action intended to last for five days until Wednesday 30 July.

Prime Minister Starmer appealed to the striking doctors on Friday, warning that patients’ safety was at risk and that the strikes would “cause real damage.” 

“The route the BMA resident doctors committee have chosen will mean everyone loses. My appeal to resident doctors is this: do not follow the BMA leadership down this damaging road. Our NHS and your patients need you,” he wrote in the Times. “Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage,” he said.

This industrial action comes despite junior doctors having accepted a 22.3 percent pay rise over two years in September, shortly after Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour party took office. 

Junior doctors, those below consultant level, stated they felt compelled to strike again to counter “pay erosion” since 2008.

However, junior doctors maintain that their real-term pay has declined by over 21 percent in the last two decades. Melissa Ryan and Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, questioned, “We’re not working 21 per cent less hard so why should our pay suffer?”

Last year’s doctors’ strikes, which led to the cancellation of tens of thousands of appointments and delayed treatments, were part of a series of public and private sector walkouts driven by disputes over pay and working conditions amid soaring inflation.

Health Minister Wes Streeting also appealed to the doctors to reconsider their position, stating in a letter published in The Telegraph that the government “cannot afford to go further on pay this year.”

The previous Conservative government had resisted the BMA’s demand for a 35 percent “pay restoration” to account for real-term inflation over the past decade. Last year, the Labour party aimed to resolve several disputes by offering pay deals to public sector workers, including teachers and train drivers, which included a 15 percent pay deal over three years for train drivers that drew criticism from the Conservative opposition.