Nigeria confirms an imported Ebola case in Abuja as health authorities monitor 44 contacts and intensify efforts to prevent further transmission

The Federal Government has confirmed an imported Nigeria Ebola case in Abuja after a woman who recently travelled from Uganda tested positive for Ebola virus disease, prompting health authorities to place 44 contacts under surveillance.

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Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying the woman had travelled to Uganda before developing symptoms on October 7.

The patient sought treatment at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11, but her condition later worsened. Further tests eventually confirmed that she had Ebola virus disease on October 20.

“The patient is a woman who had travelled to Eastern Africa, to Uganda in particular. She came back, had symptoms that commenced on the 7th of October,” Pate said.

“On the 11th, she attended a private facility where she was being taken care of. Her symptoms progressed, and further tests indicated that she had Ebola virus disease.”

The patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while public health officials intensify efforts to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Pate said 44 contacts had so far been identified and placed under surveillance.

The contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who may have travelled with the infected woman.

The minister urged anyone contacted by public health officials, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to provide the necessary information and comply with health instructions.

“Anyone contacted during the contact tracing period that we are in, including those who may have travelled with that individual, should provide necessary information requested and follow public health advice,” he said.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the FCT Health Secretariat, the World Health Organisation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are working together to contain the infection.

The private hospital where the woman initially received treatment is also receiving support to strengthen its infection prevention and control measures.

Pate urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert and ensure suspected cases are promptly isolated and reported.

The confirmation of the case comes amid a wider Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Africa.

Kenya has reported nine confirmed cases, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is also battling the outbreak.

Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said he had spoken with Pate about Nigeria’s confirmed case and commended the minister for promptly sharing the information.

Kaseya said Africa CDC had warned about the regional implications of the outbreak after it was declared on May 15, 2026.

According to him, the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak has become the most geographically widespread Ebola outbreak in history, affecting several countries across three regions of Africa.

He said the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained particularly serious, with the mortality rate approaching 50 per cent.

Kaseya called for urgent international assistance, including flexible financing, medical supplies, diagnostic capacity, trained responders and stronger community-based surveillance.

“My appeal to the international community is urgent: Act Now,” he said.

He warned that delays could cost lives and allow the outbreak to spread to more countries.

Ebola virus disease is a severe illness caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. The current regional outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, which has previously caused outbreaks in Central and East Africa.

The disease spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contact with the body of someone who has died from the infection.

Transmission can also occur through contaminated clothing, bedding, medical equipment and other materials.

Symptoms typically appear between two and 21 days after exposure and may include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

Some patients may experience bleeding, although it does not occur in every case.

Because early symptoms can resemble malaria and other common illnesses, people who may have been exposed are advised to seek medical attention promptly and disclose their travel and contact history.

Ebola is not generally transmitted before symptoms develop, making early detection, isolation and contact tracing crucial to preventing further transmission.

Preventive measures include regular handwashing, avoiding contact with the body fluids of suspected or confirmed cases and using appropriate protective equipment when caring for patients.

Suspected Ebola-related deaths should also be handled by trained personnel to minimise the risk of infection.

Professor Ali Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant and warned against spreading unverified information about the outbreak.

He recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of an Ebola outbreak in 2014, saying the country had the expertise and response systems needed to manage the latest case.

The minister also disclosed that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease had been constituted in May 2026 as part of the government’s preparedness measures.

Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report suspected cases can contact the NCDC’s toll-free line, 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected as health authorities obtain more information.