WHO rejects travel restrictions as Nigeria confirms imported Ebola case

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, after Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 44 contacts identified for monitoring.

The WHO, in a news release, said the patient was a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda. Her symptoms began on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria, and she sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11. Laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20.

The patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while investigations are ongoing to establish the likely source of infection and reconstruct her full travel and exposure history.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said 44 contacts had been identified and were being monitored as authorities intensified efforts to trace other people who might have been exposed to the virus.

Infection prevention and control measures are also being strengthened at the private health facility where the patient initially sought treatment.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response, with emphasis on rapid case identification, timely contact tracing and effective infection prevention and control.

The WHO and its partners are working with Nigerian health authorities to strengthen response measures, including case investigation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and the provision of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers.

Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo disease was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, 2026.

The WHO also reported that Kenya had recorded nine cases linked to an imported infection in recent weeks, highlighting the need for countries across the region to strengthen preparedness against cross-border transmission.

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The organisation urged governments to sustain heightened disease surveillance, investigate alerts promptly, ensure laboratories can safely test suspected cases and keep rapid-response and clinical teams ready for immediate deployment.

It also called for stronger infection prevention and control measures in public and private health facilities, adequate stocks of essential medical supplies, active community engagement and increased monitoring at points of entry, backed by appropriate response plans.

The WHO said sustained preparedness was essential to detect cases early, prevent further transmission and protect health workers and communities.

While advising against travel and trade restrictions on affected countries, the organisation said it would continue to monitor and, where necessary, verify measures introduced in response to the outbreak.

It added that its risk assessment was being regularly reviewed to incorporate the latest developments.