The Federal Government has confirmed an Ebola virus disease case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
According to Pate, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was reportedly admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
The minister said the woman had been isolated and was receiving medical care, while public health authorities had identified 44 close contacts for monitoring.
He added 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 agencies were working together to contain the infection.
“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently,” Pate said.
He explained that health officials were identifying and monitoring people who might have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, other patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
The government has also intensified disease surveillance and provided immediate support to the hospital where the patient was treated to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
FG Urges Hospitals to Intensify Surveillance
Following the confirmation, the Federal Government urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected Ebola cases to the appropriate health authorities.
Pate advised healthcare workers to identify and isolate suspected cases without delay and strictly adhere to infection prevention and control protocols.
He said Ebola could spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is ill or has died from the disease, as well as through contaminated materials.
However, the minister clarified that infected individuals could not transmit the virus before symptoms appeared.
Nigerians were advised to practise regular handwashing, avoid contact with the body fluids of suspected cases and remain alert to symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
The minister urged anyone who develops symptoms to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
He also encouraged people who might have been exposed to the virus to report to health officials, even if they felt well, and cooperate with contact-tracing teams.
Passengers who might be contacted by health authorities in connection with the affected traveller were similarly advised to provide the necessary information and follow official guidance.
Government Urges Nigerians to Avoid Panic
Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from stigmatising affected individuals.
He said the government would continue to provide updates through the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC as more information became available.
The minister expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to respond to the case, citing the country’s successful containment of an Ebola outbreak in 2014.
“Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case,” he said.
He, however, stressed that public cooperation would be crucial to preventing further transmission and protecting healthcare workers, patients and the wider population.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case were advised to 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 Pate and dated October 20, 2026.
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