The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and commenced contact tracing after identifying 44 people who may have been exposed to the infection.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case.
According to the minister, 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 infection was confirmed.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while public health authorities intensify efforts to prevent further transmission.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat are coordinating the response with other relevant agencies.
Pate said contact tracing had commenced for the 44 identified contacts, while surveillance teams were working to identify and monitor additional people who might have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
The hospital where the patient was treated is also receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The minister directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain vigilant, urging health workers to promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, adhere strictly to infection prevention protocols and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease. Symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The minister advised anyone who develops such symptoms, particularly after possible exposure, to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The government also urged individuals contacted during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to cooperate with health officials and comply with public health instructions.
The confirmation comes amid concerns over the spread of Ebola in parts of Africa. The NCDC had, in an advisory issued on October 6, warned of the risk of importing the infection following a confirmed case in Kenya linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to the World Health Organisation, Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated objects and surfaces. Infected individuals do not transmit the virus before symptoms appear, while the incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Nigeria experienced an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller introduced the virus into the country. Authorities contained the outbreak through rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing and coordinated public health interventions.
Reassuring Nigerians, Pate said the country had the experience and public health infrastructure required to respond to the current case. He, however, emphasised that public cooperation would be critical to preventing further transmission.
The Federal Government said investigations were continuing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, in collaboration with the NCDC, would provide further updates.
Members of the public can contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, available round the clock, for information or to report a suspected case.