Nigeria has confirmed its first case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after a woman who recently travelled from Uganda tested positive for the virus.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare announced the case on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation.
The patient arrived in Nigeria aboard an international flight from Uganda and is currently in isolation while receiving medical care.
Nigeria confirms first Ebola case. Photo: Courtesy.
Health authorities have launched response measures to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
The ministry is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant agencies to manage the situation.
Contact tracing has commenced, with authorities identifying 44 close contacts who may have been exposed to the virus.
Public health teams are monitoring potential contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who travelled with the patient.
Health officials have also intensified surveillance and are providing immediate support to the hospital handling the case to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The government has urged public and private healthcare facilities across Nigeria to remain vigilant and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected Ebola cases to public health authorities.
Healthcare workers have been advised to maintain a high level of suspicion when handling patients with symptoms that could indicate Ebola, observe strict infection prevention procedures and follow established reporting protocols.
The ministry also sought to reassure Nigerians by pointing to the country’s experience in containing the disease during the 2014 outbreak.
Authorities expressed confidence in the country’s public health systems and response capacity, noting that the government, FCT officials and partner agencies were working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider population.
