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Anxiety has gripped residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following the Federal Government’s confirmation of an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and the commencement of contact tracing for 44 people potentially exposed to the infection.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that the case was confirmed through laboratory testing, assuring Nigerians that public health measures had been activated to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Pate said the patient was a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda, in East Africa, and returned with symptoms on September 7.
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Patient Develops Symptoms Before Diagnosis
According to the minister, the patient’s symptoms progressed four days after her return before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
A government statement said the woman arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda and was subsequently admitted to a private hospital, where she received medical attention for several days before the diagnosis was established.
“The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care,” the statement said.
Pate confirmed that the patient was in isolation and receiving treatment, while public health authorities had commenced contact tracing to identify, assess and monitor individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.
He disclosed that 44 contacts had already been identified, while surveillance activities were being intensified at the country’s points of entry to detect and respond to potential cases.
Health Ministry, FCT Authorities, Africa CDC Mobilise
The minister said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was working with the FCT Health Secretariat, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other partners to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
He urged public and private healthcare facilities to remain on high alert, emphasising the need for health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion when assessing patients with symptoms that could be associated with Ebola.
Pate stressed the importance of early detection, prompt reporting and strict adherence to established infection prevention and control protocols in healthcare facilities.
The government, he said, was deploying public health mechanisms to ensure that identified contacts were traced and monitored as part of efforts to interrupt possible chains of transmission.
Minister Urges Calm, Vigilance
Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, urging the public to observe good hygiene practices and cooperate with health officials carrying out surveillance and contact-tracing activities.
He advised citizens to seek prompt medical attention if they developed symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache and diarrhoea, particularly where there was a possibility of exposure to an infected person.
The minister assured Nigerians that the situation was being managed and pledged that the government would provide timely and transparent updates as response efforts progressed.
He also said Nigeria would draw on its experience in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak, alongside public health systems and emergency-response mechanisms developed over the years.
According to him, authorities were continuing efforts to trace and monitor all identified contacts to minimise the risk of further transmission.
Confirmation Comes Amid Ebola Outbreak Concerns
The announcement came amid renewed concerns over Ebola following reports of an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) and confirmation of cases in Kenya, according to the report.
The Federal Government reiterated that public health measures had been activated to prevent further transmission and urged Nigerians to avoid panic while remaining alert to possible symptoms.
Citizens were also advised to report suspected cases promptly to the nearest health facility and follow guidance issued by public health authorities.
The government maintained that public cooperation, effective surveillance, early detection and timely medical intervention would be critical to containing the infection and protecting public health.
Editorial note: The supplied report contains a significant date that should be verified before publication: it says the patient returned to Nigeria on September 7, while the announcement is described as occurring on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Please confirm the travel date and the official announcement date against the original Ministry of Health statement. The Ebola case, the 44 contacts, and the references to Uganda, DR Congo and Kenya should also be independently verified before publication, given the public-health implications.
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