The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), involving a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda, with health authorities identifying 44 close contacts as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
According to the minister, the patient was initially admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the disease was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
Pate disclosed that contact-tracing activities had commenced, with public health officials working to identify and monitor individuals who might have been exposed to the patient.
Those being investigated include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who may have had contact with her during her journey.
The minister said 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 collaborating to contain the infection and prevent a wider outbreak.
He added that surveillance had been strengthened, while the hospital where the patient was treated was receiving urgent assistance to improve infection prevention and control measures.
Pate urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain vigilant and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected Ebola cases to the appropriate public health authorities.
He also called on healthcare professionals to maintain strict infection prevention and control procedures to minimise the risk of transmission within medical facilities.
Explaining how the disease spreads, the minister said Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is experiencing symptoms or has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.
He stressed that an infected person cannot transmit Ebola before symptoms appear.
The minister advised Nigerians to practise regular handwashing, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease and remain alert to symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly after possible exposure.
He further urged anyone who might have been exposed to report to public health authorities immediately, even if they felt well.
Individuals who develop symptoms after a possible exposure were advised to avoid close contact with others and contact health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
Pate also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with contact-tracing teams, including airline passengers who might be contacted by health officials.
He cautioned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people who might have been exposed to the virus.
The minister recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of an Ebola outbreak in 2014, expressing confidence in the country’s public health experience and response systems.
However, he emphasised that preventing further transmission would depend on early detection, prompt reporting, effective surveillance and public cooperation.
He said the Federal Government, FCT authorities and their partners would continue to provide updates through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report suspected cases were advised to contact the NCDC’s toll-free line on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
