• Govt confirms first case in Abuja, prompts emergency response
•44 shut contacts recognized as tracing begins
• Medical sciences academy seeks implementation of high-alert protocols
•Urges Nigerians to keep away from handshakes, pointless bodily contacts
Emmanuel Addeh and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The federal authorities yesterday confirmed one case of Ebola illness within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare revealing that it has activated emergency public well being response, together with the graduation of contact tracing.
Also, the Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria (AMSN) yesterday famous with concern the reported case, however counseled the immediate graduation of contact tracing in addition to the isolation of the affected person and the in-tensified surveillance already underway.
The Academy additional advisable the instant and nationwide implementation of high-alert protocols, draw-ing on the confirmed measures that enabled Nigeria to comprise Ebola in 2014 and to answer COVID-19 in 2020.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the illness, has recorded hundreds of instances and deaths as well being authorities intensify containment efforts. The outbreak, attributable to the Bundibugyo virus, had heightened regional considerations over cross-border transmission, prompting elevated surveillance, contact tracing and isolation measures.
Specifically, as of October 20, 2026, at the least 4,605 individuals have died from the continued Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa, in keeping with the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with one demise reported in Kenya and two in Uganda.
Besides, the CDC has recorded 9,582 confirmed instances throughout the affected nations, with investigations and reporting nonetheless ongoing. For comparability, the DRC’s 2025 Ebola outbreak, which was declared over on December 1, 2025, recorded 45 deaths from 64 confirmed and possible instances, representing a case fatality price of 70.3 per cent.
Ebola is a extreme and sometimes deadly illness transmitted by means of direct contact with the bodily fluids of contaminated individuals or contaminated supplies. The Bundibugyo pressure liable for the 2026 outbreak is especially con-cerning as a result of there isn’t a accepted vaccine or particular therapy for this pressure, making early prognosis, iso-lation, supportive care and speak to tracing important to containing its unfold.
But within the assertion conveying the information on the Ebola case, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Wel-fare, Prof. Ali Pate, mentioned the affected person was a girl who just lately arrived in Nigeria on a global flight from Uganda.
She was mentioned to be uneven and Ebola normally takes about three weeks for signs to develop.
And fortunately, Abuja has very effectively geared up medical laboratories able to assembly the problem.
According to the minister, the girl was admitted to a non-public hospital within the FCT the place she obtained look after a number of days earlier than prognosis was confirmed. The assertion added that she is at present in isolation and receiv-ing medical care.
Pate mentioned the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and (NCDC) are working intently with FCT Health Services Secretariat and different related authorities to comprise the an infection and stop additional unfold.
“Contact tracing has commenced with 44 close contacts identified presently, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts,” he mentioned.
He added that surveillance has been intensified and hospitals are receiving instant help to strengthen an infection prevention and management measures.
The federal authorities referred to as on all private and non-private healthcare services nationwide to be on excessive alert. It urged healthcare employees to keep up a excessive index of suspicion, promptly determine and isolate suspected instances, observe strict an infection prevention and management measures, and instantly report suspected instances.
The authorities additionally issued advisory on what Nigerians ought to know and do. It mentioned Ebola spreads by means of direct contact with blood or physique fluids of sick individuals or contaminated supplies, and can’t unfold earlier than signs start.
It suggested Nigerians to stay calm however vigilant, apply common hand hygiene, keep away from contact with physique fluids of suspected instances, look ahead to signs together with fever, extreme weak point, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, and report potential publicity instantly.
It additional urged these contacted throughout tracing, together with airline passengers, to cooperate and keep away from rumours and stigma.
“Our assurance to Nigerians (is that) Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experi-ence and public health systems to respond to this case,” Pate mentioned, noting that investigations are ongoing and updates will probably be supplied.
The first identified case of Ebola in Nigeria was in a traveller referred to as Patrick Sawyer, uncovered in Liberia. On July 17, 2014, whereas below statement in a Monrovia, Liberia, hospital for potential Ebola, the affected person developed a fever and, whereas symptomatic, left the hospital in opposition to medical recommendation.
Despite recommendation in opposition to journey, on July 20 he flew by business airline from Monrovia through Accra, Ghana, to Lomé, Togo, then flew to Lagos. On arrival within the afternoon of July 20, he was acutely sick and instantly transported to a non-public hospital the place he was famous to have fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. During hospital admission, the affected person was queried about Ebola and mentioned he had no identified publicity; he was initially handled for presumed malaria.
Based on the affected person’s failure to answer malaria therapy and his journey from an Ebola-affected nation within the area (2), treating physicians suspected Ebola. The affected person was remoted and examined for Ebola virus an infection whereas native public well being authorities had been alerted a few suspected case of Ebola. A blood specimen despatched to Lagos University Teaching Hospital was confirmed constructive for acute Ebola virus an infection. The index affected person died on July 25.
Meanwhile, the AMSN has advisable the instant and nationwide implementation of high-alert protocols, drawing on the confirmed measures that enabled Nigeria to comprise Ebola in 2014 and to answer COVID-19.
“These should include: Enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers from affected countries. (Also) strict infection prevention and control in all public and private health facilities, with adequate personal protective equipment for health workers, rigorous contact tracing, monitoring and follow-up with sustained, accurate public communication through official channels,” it acknowledged.
The academy, in a press release by the President, Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie; Foundation President, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru and Head of Rapid Response Committee, Prof. Boaz Adegboro, identified that well being employees should keep a excessive index of suspicion, promptly isolate suspected instances and report them instantly to public well being authorities.
“The public ought to perceive clearly that Ebola isn’t an airborne illness. It spreads by means of direct contact with the blood or different physique fluids of an individual who’s sick with Ebola or has died from it, or by means of contact with supplies contaminated by these fluids. An individual with Ebola can not unfold the illness earlier than signs start.
“As a simple and effective precaution, the Academy advises all Nigerians to avoid handshakes and other un-necessary physical contact, including hugging, during this period. We encourage the use of non-contact greet-ings,” the group mentioned.
For data or to report a suspected case, it urged members of the general public to name the NCDC toll-free quantity 6232, which it mentioned is offered 24 hours a day in addition to seven days per week.
“The Academy stands ready to support the federal government and all stakeholders with expert advice as the response continues,” the group emphasised.
