Nigeria has recorded no new Ebola infection, while the index patient has tested negative for the virus following treatment in Switzerland, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, saying all identified contacts of the index patient had completed the mandatory 21-day monitoring period without any confirmed secondary infection.
Idris said a total of 62 contacts linked to the case were identified and placed under surveillance for 21 days, representing the maximum incubation period of the Ebola virus.
He described the successful completion of the contact-tracing exercise without further transmission as reassuring, noting that it reflected the effectiveness of Nigeria’s public health response.
According to him, the development underscored the importance of early detection, prompt investigation, effective surveillance and collaboration between health authorities and communities in containing infectious disease outbreaks.
The NCDC boss, however, cautioned that the absence of new infections did not mean Nigeria was entirely out of danger, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue observing public health guidelines.
He clarified that the World Health Organisation (WHO), and not the NCDC or the Federal Government, has the authority to officially declare Nigeria Ebola-free after the country fulfils the required conditions.
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case since 2014 on October 20, 2026, after a Ugandan-born female diplomat tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in Abuja.
The patient had travelled to Uganda before returning to Nigeria, where she subsequently developed symptoms and initially received treatment at a private health facility in the Federal Capital Territory.
Following confirmation of the infection, the NCDC activated emergency response measures, including contact tracing, active surveillance and monitoring of individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.
The index patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further treatment.
Although Nigeria currently has no active confirmed Ebola case, the WHO requires the country to record 42 consecutive days without a new confirmed case before the outbreak can officially be declared over.
The period represents twice the virus’s maximum 21-day incubation period and is intended to establish that no further transmission has occurred.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, had earlier indicated that Nigeria could be declared Ebola-free as early as December 7, 2026, provided no new confirmed or probable cases emerge.
The date, however, remains dependent on the successful completion of the mandatory observation period, as any new confirmed or probable case could reset the countdown.
Also speaking at the briefing, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, attributed the early detection of the infection to the vigilance of a private hospital and the prompt response of the FCT health authorities.
Fasawe recalled that the FCT Epidemiological Unit was alerted by a private health facility several weeks ago following suspicion of a possible Ebola infection.
She said the hospital’s decision to obtain the patient’s travel history and promptly notify the appropriate authorities enabled the FCT Rapid Response Team to visit the facility and collect samples for laboratory testing.
According to her, the response team members who had contact with the patient were subsequently isolated for three weeks and had successfully completed the isolation period without developing any symptoms.
Fasawe disclosed that following laboratory confirmation of the infection at the National Reference Laboratory, an Incident Management Structure was immediately established to coordinate the response.
She said the FCT Administration worked closely with the NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and development partners to ensure an effective response to the outbreak.
The mandate secretary commended the NCDC Director-General, the Minister of Health and the FCT Minister for their support, stressing that the incident demonstrated the importance of early reporting and cooperation among health institutions.
She particularly urged private hospitals across the FCT to maintain a high level of suspicion for infectious diseases and promptly report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
Fasawe said accredited private health facilities were familiar with the established reporting procedures and should make use of the NCDC emergency contact line or notify the FCT authorities whenever they encounter a suspected case.
She stressed that the early identification of the index patient demonstrated how proper clinical assessment, adequate travel history and timely notification could help prevent further transmission.
