The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the case.
According to the statement, the patient was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received medical care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical treatment, while public health authorities have activated response measures to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
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 authorities are working together to manage the situation.
The government said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far.
Public health teams are working to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the patient, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The Federal Government has urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain on high alert and maintain a high index of suspicion for possible Ebola cases.
Healthcare workers have been directed to promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
The government explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.
It, however, emphasised that an infected person cannot transmit the virus before symptoms begin.
Nigerians have been advised to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.
The statement listed symptoms of the disease to include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed to the virus.
It urged anyone who suspects possible exposure to report immediately to public health authorities, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.
Those who develop symptoms have been advised to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The government also called on individuals contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide necessary information and comply with public health advice.
It cautioned against spreading rumours or stigmatising affected persons, urging Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities.
Pate recalled that Nigeria successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014, expressing confidence in the country’s experience and public health systems to respond to the latest case.
He, however, stressed that preventing further transmission would require the cooperation of the public, healthcare workers and other relevant stakeholders.
The Minister said the Federal Government, FCT authorities and partners were working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider population, adding that investigations were ongoing.
He assured Nigerians that the government, through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC, would continue to provide accurate and timely updates on the situation.
“The NCDC’s toll-free call centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Members of the public can call 6232 for information or to report a suspected case”, he said.
