The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
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 infection.
According to the statement, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was subsequently admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the disease was confirmed.
The minister said the woman had been placed in isolation and was receiving medical care.
As part of the government's response, public health officials have identified 44 close contacts and commenced efforts to trace and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
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 with relevant authorities to contain the infection.
The contact-tracing exercise includes identifying and monitoring potentially exposed healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
The government has also intensified disease surveillance and begun providing immediate support to the hospital where the patient was treated to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
FG Issues Public Health Advisory
Following the confirmation, the Federal Government urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert and promptly report suspected Ebola cases to the appropriate public health authorities.
Healthcare workers have been advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, identify and isolate suspected cases without delay, and strictly observe infection prevention and control protocols.
Pate also urged Nigerians to remain calm while observing preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease.
Symptoms associated with Ebola include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
The minister advised anyone who develops symptoms to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
He also appealed to individuals contacted by public health officials, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to cooperate with the contact-tracing exercise and provide the necessary information.
Nigeria Responds Amid Regional Ebola Concerns
The confirmation comes amid concerns over Ebola transmission in parts of Africa. The NCDC had earlier issued an advisory on October 6, warning about the risk of importing the infection following a reported 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 develop, while the incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Nigeria previously contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller introduced the virus into the country. The response involved rapid case identification, isolation, contact tracing and coordinated public health interventions.
Reassuring Nigerians, Pate said the country had the experience and public health systems needed to respond to the confirmed case. However, he stressed that public cooperation would be essential to preventing further transmission.
The Federal Government said investigations were ongoing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, working alongside the NCDC, would continue to provide updates.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case can contact the NCDC's toll-free call centre on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.