ABUJA — Genome sequencing has shown that the Ebola virus detected in Nigeria's first confirmed case differs by only one mutation from the virus found in Kenya's first imported case, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said on Friday.

The sequencing was carried out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health at Redeemer's University, Ede. Pate cautioned that the result does not show how the Abuja patient was infected, and said there was no evidence of travel linking the two patients. Africa CDC is investigating, as both passed through Entebbe airport in Uganda on 3 October.

The minister said the patient is recovering and her latest laboratory results show great improvement. Nigeria still has one confirmed case; some contacts have tested negative and other results are pending.

Briefing the National Economic Council on Thursday, Pate said 21 states had updated their Ebola response plans and urged the remaining 15 to speed up. Hospitals have been told to prepare isolation beds, and private facilities must report suspected cases. He said large gatherings are not restricted for now, but this could be reviewed. Ebola spreads through contact with body fluids, not through the air.