The Niger State Government has placed its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre on heightened alert and intensified disease surveillance following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in Abuja.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that no case of Ebola had been detected in Niger State.
He said the precautionary measures were necessary because of frequent movement between Niger State and Abuja, activities around the Minna International Airport and the state's international border with the Republic of Benin.
The Federal Government announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, that laboratory tests confirmed an Ebola case involving a woman who recently arrived from Uganda. The patient is receiving treatment in isolation, while 44 close contacts have been identified.
Bagana said the state was coordinating its preparedness efforts with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, the World Health Organisation, WHO, local government health authorities and other development partners.
He disclosed that public and private health facilities had been directed to immediately report suspected cases, while Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, DSNOs, and local government health teams were strengthening surveillance, notification and investigation.
The ministry is also reviewing arrangements for the safe transportation and isolation of suspected cases and reinforcing infection prevention and control measures, including the use of protective equipment and safe handling of clinical waste.
The government urged residents to remain calm, wash their hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitisers, and avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
Residents who develop symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding, particularly after possible exposure, should avoid close contact with others and telephone public health authorities before visiting a medical facility.
The ministry also advised anyone who suspects exposure to seek guidance promptly, even if they feel well, and warned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people being assessed by health officials.
It emphasised that living in or travelling to Niger State does not, by itself, mean a person has been exposed to the virus.
Suspected cases can be reported to the Director of Public Health on 0703 458 3079, the State Epidemiologist on 0807 721 3070, or the State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer on 0807 529 1989. The NCDC national toll-free helpline is 6232, where accessible.
Bagana reaffirmed the state government's commitment to protecting residents, healthcare workers and visitors, urging the public to rely on verified information from recognised health authorities.