Health authorities are investigating whether the first confirmed Ebola patients in Nigeria and Kenya may have crossed paths at an airport in Uganda earlier this month, as efforts intensify to contain an outbreak spreading across parts of Africa.

Officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said both patients had travelled through Entebbe International Airport on October 3. Investigators are examining whether any interaction between the two individuals could help explain the spread of the virus. However, authorities have not confirmed that the patients met or established that the airport was the source of their infections.

Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease on October 20 involving a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda. Health authorities said the patient was receiving medical care in isolation and that contact-tracing efforts were under way.

Nigerian officials initially identified 44 contacts for monitoring, including healthcare workers. Further investigations are intended to identify anyone else who may have been exposed.

Kenya has also reported Ebola cases linked to travel through Uganda, while the wider outbreak originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo earlier this year.

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. Health agencies are urging regional governments to strengthen surveillance, improve coordination and identify suspected cases quickly.

African health ministers have been invited to an extraordinary virtual meeting scheduled for October 28 to discuss a coordinated response.

Health officials have emphasised the importance of contact tracing and early detection as they work to prevent further transmission.

Wider Brief, will continue to monitor official public-health updates as investigations progress.