Nigeria, Oct. 23 -- The federal government has urged 15 states to speed up preparedness as Nigeria steps up measures to contain the country's first confirmed imported case of Ebola disease.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, made the call on Thursday while briefing the National Economic Council (NEC) on Nigeria's response to the Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Pate said 21 states had already updated their Ebola response plans, while the remaining 15 states are expected to expedite the establishment of appropriate preparedness and response mechanisms, Voice of Nigeria reports.

The minister identified coordination and governance, detection at points of entry, laboratory testing ca...