FG Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Tracks 44 Contacts

The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 44 close contacts identified as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent further transmission.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection in a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.

According to the minister, the patient 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.

Pate said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far, while public health teams were working to identify and monitor other people who might have been exposed to the virus.

The contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts who may have come into contact with the patient.

He said 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 coordinating the response to contain the infection and prevent further spread.

The minister added that surveillance had been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

He urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, directing healthcare workers to promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and report suspected infections to public health authorities without delay.

Explaining how the disease spreads, Pate said Ebola is transmitted 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 contact with contaminated materials.

He stressed that infected persons cannot transmit the virus before symptoms develop.

The minister advised Nigerians to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, and remain alert to symptoms including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.

He urged anyone who might have been exposed to contact public health authorities immediately, even if they felt well.

Those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and seek guidance from public health authorities before visiting a healthcare facility.

Pate also appealed to passengers who travelled on the same flight as the patient to cooperate with contact tracing teams and provide any information required by health authorities.

He warned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people who might have been exposed to the virus.

The minister said Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 and had experience in managing public health emergencies. However, he emphasised that preventing further transmission would depend on early detection, prompt reporting and public cooperation.

He said the Federal Government, FCT authorities and relevant partners would continue to provide updates through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.

Nigerians seeking information or wishing to report suspected cases were advised to contact the NCDC’s toll-free line on 6232, available 24 hours a day.