From The Nijasun News Desk
The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and commenced emergency public health measures to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case.
According to the statement, 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 medical attention for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
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.
The government disclosed that contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far. Public health teams are identifying and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed to the virus, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment is being supported 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 protocols and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
Explaining how the disease spreads, the government said Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms or has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.
It explained that a person infected with Ebola cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.
Nigerians have been advised to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease.
The government also urged citizens to watch out for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
Anyone who suspects exposure has been advised to report immediately to public health authorities, even if they feel well. Individuals who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The statement further urged people contacted during the ongoing tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to cooperate with public health teams, provide the necessary information and comply with official guidance.
The government cautioned against spreading rumours or stigmatising potentially affected individuals, urging Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities.
Assuring citizens of the country’s capacity to contain the infection, Pate recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, noting that the country had the experience and public health systems required to respond to the current case.
However, he emphasised that preventing further transmission would require collective responsibility and cooperation from the public.
The government said investigations were continuing and promised to provide accurate and timely updates as more information became available.
It urged Nigerians to remain calm, stay vigilant and cooperate with public health authorities, stressing that early detection and prompt reporting were critical to preventing further spread.
For enquiries or to report a suspected case, the NCDC’s toll-free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 6232.
Tags: Ebola, NCDC, Public Health
