By Rotimi Odofin
The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following laboratory confirmation on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and has activated emergency public health measures to prevent further transmission.
The patient, 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. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a press statement, noting that 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 were working together to contain the infection.
According to the statement, contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far. The contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts who may have been exposed to the infection.
Public health surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The Federal Government has directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, urging 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 cases to the appropriate public health authorities.
The government explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as through contact with contaminated materials.
It stressed that an infected person cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.
Nigerians have consequently been advised to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, and watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
The government further advised anyone who suspects exposure to report immediately to public health authorities, even in the absence of symptoms. Persons who develop symptoms have been urged to avoid close contact with others and seek guidance from public health authorities by telephone before visiting a healthcare facility.
Relevant airline passengers and other persons contacted during the tracing exercise have also been urged to cooperate with public health teams, provide the necessary information and comply with official guidance.
The statement cautioned against the spread of rumours and the stigmatisation of affected persons, urging Nigerians to rely exclusively on verified information from official health authorities.
Reassuring the public, the Federal Government recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, noting that the country has relevant experience and public health systems to respond to the current case.
However, it emphasised that preventing further transmission would require early detection, prompt reporting and the cooperation of members of the public.
The government said investigations were continuing and promised to provide accurate and timely updates through the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the NCDC.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case can contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The statement was signed by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
