FULL LIST: Six Things You Should Know About First Ebola Case in Nigeria

The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation on October 20, 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the patient was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT before the diagnosis was confirmed.

Here are six things Nigerians should know about the Ebola case and the public health response.

1. The patient recently arrived from Uganda

According to the government, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She had received care at a private hospital in the FCT for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.

2. Contact tracing has commenced

The government said public health teams had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed.

Those being monitored include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital is receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

3. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids

The government explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with the disease or has died from it, as well as contact with contaminated materials.

It added that an infected person cannot spread Ebola before symptoms begin.

4. Nigerians are advised to observe preventive measures

The Federal Government urged Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola and watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly after possible exposure.

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Anyone who suspects exposure is advised to report it immediately, even if they feel well. Those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

The government also urged Nigerians to cooperate with contact-tracing teams, provide relevant information when requested and avoid spreading rumours or stigmatising affected persons.

5. NCDC has activated its response, and Nigerians can call 6232

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities are working together to contain the infection and prevent further spread.

The government said Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014 and has experience and public health systems to respond to the current case.

The NCDC’s toll-free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Nigerians can call 6232 for information or to report a suspected case.

The government urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, stressing that early detection, prompt reporting and public cooperation are critical to preventing further spread.

6. Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has maintained that it can respond to the current situation with the support of everyone playing their parts.