Nigeria confirms Ebola case in Abuja, identifies 44 contacts

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the confirmation one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and commenced contact tracing, with 44 close contacts identified so far as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a press statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case.

“A woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed,” the statement noted.

The individual is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

The government said public health teams had begun tracing the 44 identified contacts and were working to identify and monitor others who might have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. 

The  Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and the FCT Health Services Secretariat are working with other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread.

Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient was treated is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The government urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain on high alert, directing healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control protocols, and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.

The minister advised Nigerians to remain calm while observing preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with the blood or other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.