Nigeria Confirms Imported Ebola Case in Abuja as WHO Urges Regional Vigilance

Nigeria Confirms First Imported Ebola Case

The Federal Government confirmed Nigeria’s first imported case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory after a woman who recently travelled from Uganda tested positive for the infection. [1] The case involves the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. [1] The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, said the patient is in isolation and receiving medical care. [1] Health authorities have intensified efforts to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus. [1] The Federal Government called for calm and urged Nigerians to rely on verified information and follow public health guidance as surveillance measures were strengthened. [1] The patient is receiving medical care in isolation at a private hospital in the FCT. [5] Contact tracing has commenced following the confirmation. [5]

WHO Calls for Regional Vigilance

World Health Organisation Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus urged countries in the region to sustain a high level of preparedness following Nigeria’s first reported case of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. [1] The WHO boss made the call in a post on his official X handle after confirmation of the case by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. [1] “Contact tracing is ongoing. WHO and partners are working with the governments of Nigeria, Kenya and the DRC to strengthen the overall outbreak response,” Tedros said. [1] He added that countries in the region needed to maintain heightened vigilance to detect cases early, prevent further transmission and protect healthcare workers and communities. [1] “WHO urges all countries in the region to sustain a high level of readiness, which is essential to detect cases early, prevent onward transmission and protect health workers and communities,” he said. [1]

FAAN Heightens Airport Surveillance

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has heightened health surveillance across airport operations following the confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory. [2] The authority said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Port Health Services, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies to support ongoing containment efforts. [2] FAAN disclosed this in a press release issued on Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire. [2] The authority noted that the early identification of the case and the commencement of contact tracing underscore the importance of effective health surveillance and collaboration among relevant agencies. [2] “The early identification of the case and commencement of contact tracing underscore the importance of established public health protocols, effective surveillance and inter-agency collaboration in responding to potential health threats,” the statement said. [2] FAAN said it was maintaining heightened vigilance across airport operations and would continue to coordinate with public health authorities to implement further guidance. [2] The authority urged passengers, airport users, airlines and other stakeholders to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with health officials. [2] “The public is also advised to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports,” the statement added. [2] FAAN reassured travellers of its readiness to work with relevant agencies to safeguard public health and ensure the safe operation of airports across the country. [2]

Ogun State Activates Preparedness Measures

The Ogun State Government has intensified surveillance and preparedness measures following the Federal Government's announcement of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory. [3] The government assured residents that no case had been recorded in the state as of 21 October, 2026. [3] The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that Ogun had been on heightened alert since the declaration of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March 2026. [3] According to her, 111 persons of interest, comprising passengers from high-risk countries, had been identified, monitored and subsequently discharged from follow-up after completing the required surveillance period. [3] Coker said the state's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre was coordinating preparedness and response activities to ensure the prompt identification, reporting and management of any suspected case. [3] She added that the government had strengthened the capacity of Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers, port health officers, health educators, clinicians and community informants through training on appropriate response procedures. [3] The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and obtain information from official public health authorities. [3]

Uganda Requests Travel Details from Nigeria

Uganda has asked Nigeria to provide detailed travel and clinical records of the woman confirmed to have Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory. [4] In a statement, Prof. Charles Olaro, the Director General of Health Services, Uganda Ministry of Health, said the information was required to guide further investigations and determine whether additional contact tracing was necessary. [4] The statement stressed that the woman's transit through Uganda did not establish that she contracted the virus there. [4] Preliminary information cited by the Ugandan authorities revealed that the woman, who travelled to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo for business, transited through Uganda in early October without showing symptoms. [4] She reportedly developed symptoms after arriving in Nigeria. [4] The statement clarified that, as of the date of this statement, Uganda has no confirmed active Ebola cases. [4] The Ministry of Health noted that the location of exposure remains under investigation. [4]

Public Health Guidance Issued

The Federal Government advised Nigerians to practise good hand hygiene, familiarise themselves with the symptoms of Ebola and seek guidance from public health authorities if they suspected exposure. [1] The government added that it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant health authorities to protect public health and strengthen surveillance. [1] FAAN advised the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports. [2] The Ogun State Government urged residents to remain vigilant, observe preventive measures and avoid panic or the spread of unverified information. [3] Commissioner Coker explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, the body of someone who has died from the disease, or materials contaminated with such fluids. [3] She advised residents to wash their hands regularly with soap and running water and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap and water are unavailable. [3] Residents were also cautioned against contact with the blood and body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease. [3] Coker urged anyone who might have been exposed to Ebola to contact public health authorities promptly without waiting for symptoms to develop. [3] She further advised anyone who develops symptoms after possible exposure to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities before visiting a healthcare facility. [3] The commissioner warned against touching the bodies of people who die from suspected or confirmed Ebola, stressing that safe and dignified burials must be handled by trained teams. [3] She cautioned against rumours, discrimination and stigmatisation. [3]

What to watch next: Uganda’s Ministry of Health is awaiting detailed travel and clinical records from Nigeria to determine if further contact tracing is needed, while regional authorities including those in Nigeria, Kenya and the DRC continue coordination with WHO on outbreak response measures.