A Hospital in the Republic of Benin has announced that they are currently treating a Nigerian man who they fear has contracted the Ebola virus, their health minister Dorotheé Gazard said today.

Officials allegedly have sent a sample of his blood to Senegal for testing and verification.

If confirmed, this case marks the beginnings of the virus in a fifth west African country. The Republic of Benin borders Nigeria, to its east, and Togo to its west.