The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and commenced contact tracing, with 44 close contacts identified as part of efforts to prevent further transmission. This is coming 12 years after the first ever case of the disease in the country.
Health and Social Welfare Minister Muhammad Ali Pate disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case.
“A woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed,” the statement noted.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
Multi-Agency containment measures underway
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat are working with other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
The government stated that public health teams had begun tracing the 44 identified contacts and were working to identify and monitor others who might have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts.
Read also: FG plans incentives to draw private firms to stock market
Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Public health advisory and regional context
The government has urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain on high alert, directing healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control protocols, and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
The minister advised Nigerians to remain calm while observing preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with the blood or other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
He said symptoms to watch for include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed to the infection.
“Anyone who develops symptoms should avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility,” the statement advised.
The government also urged people contacted by public health teams during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to provide the required information and comply with official guidance.
The confirmation comes amid an evolving regional Ebola outbreak. Nigeria’s disease control agency had, in an October 6 advisory, raised concerns about the risk of importing the infection following a confirmed case in Kenya linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The World Health Organisation says Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected people, or contaminated objects and surfaces. People infected with the virus do not transmit it before symptoms develop, while the incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
First coming, 12 years ago
In 2014, Nigeria contained an Ebola outbreak after the disease was introduced by Patrick Sawyer, an infected traveller from Liberia. The response involved rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing, and coordinated public health interventions.
Read also: eHealth Africa, Egypt unite to advance AI, health systems
Reassuring Nigerians, Pate said the country had the experience and public health systems required to respond to the current case, but stressed that preventing further transmission would require public cooperation.
The Federal Government said investigations were ongoing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, alongside the NCDC, would continue to provide updates.
Members of the public can contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to obtain information or report a suspected case.
Related News
Temiloluwa, the Online Editor of BusinessDay, is a transformative editorial leader with over 10 years of experience driving digital growth and innovation in media. He leads initiatives in leveraging technology to enhance storytelling and build high-performing teams. Temi is passionate about harnessing tech to inform, engage, and empower communities, with a demonstrated history of creating award-winning solutions that bridge the gap between media and technology.
