Surveillance System Helped Detect Nigeria’s Confirmed Ebola Case – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said its event-based surveillance system helped trigger the response to Nigeria’s confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in an update on the country’s Ebola response issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026, saying healthcare workers’ vigilance and clinical assessment raised concerns that led to the alert.

“NCDC wants to draw attention to how this case came to our notice because it demonstrates the importance of the surveillance systems we have continued to strengthen over the years,” Idris said.

He explained that healthcare workers attending to the patient recognised clinical features that raised concerns, prompting the alert to be captured through the agency’s surveillance system.

“Following the alert, we immediately engaged the FCT health authorities, and the necessary investigations and laboratory testing was carried out,” he said.

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Idris confirmed that the patient was receiving medical care under isolation, with infection prevention and control measures in place, while clinical teams continued to monitor the patient’s condition.

He said the government had activated a coordinated national response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, FCT health authorities, other relevant government agencies and technical partners.

“This is one national response, with everyone working towards the same objective: to prevent further transmission and protect Nigerians,” he said.

The NCDC chief said the response was being implemented through a structured Incident Management System coordinated by the Emergency Operations Centre, under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease.

He identified contact tracing and monitoring, clinical care, infection prevention and control, surveillance and laboratory capacity, and public communication as key components of the response.

According to him, public health teams are working to identify people who may have been exposed to the confirmed case and ensure appropriate follow-up for 21 days after their last possible exposure.

“The number of contacts identified may change as investigations progress. This is expected and reflects the ongoing work of our surveillance teams,” he said.

Idris urged Nigerians contacted by public health officials to cooperate with investigations and provide accurate information about their movements, contacts and any symptoms they might have experienced.

“An identified contact does not mean that you have Ebola. It means that public health teams need to assess and monitor your health so that any possible infection can be identified early,” he said.

He added that the agency was working with FCT health authorities to strengthen screening, triage, isolation readiness and healthcare worker protection across healthcare facilities.

The NCDC director-general also called on public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to review their infection prevention and control measures, maintain a high index of suspicion and promptly report suspected cases.

“Healthcare workers should not wait for laboratory confirmation before taking appropriate precautions,” he said.

Idris, who served as Lagos State Commissioner for Health when Ebola was introduced into Nigeria in 2014, said the country was drawing on lessons from its previous response, including early detection, contact tracing, coordination and public trust.

“The experience taught us important lessons about leadership, coordination, early detection, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and public trust,” he said.

He, however, warned that misinformation could create fear, discourage people from reporting symptoms and undermine efforts to contain the disease.

He urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other authorised public health sources, while avoiding the circulation of unverified claims or stigmatising patients, contacts and healthcare workers.

The agency also advised the public to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, report possible exposure promptly and cooperate with contact-tracing teams.

Idris said the situation remained under active investigation and that the response would continue to be adjusted as new information became available.

“The immediate priority is to identify and follow up all contacts, protect healthcare workers, provide appropriate care and prevent further transmission in the country,” he said.