The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, following laboratory confirmation on Monday, October 20, 2026.
According to the government, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received care for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, said they are working closely with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection and prevent further spread.
Contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts so far identified. Public health teams are monitoring people who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
The government said surveillance has been intensified, while the hospital is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
It called on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to be on high alert, urging healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.
*What Nigerians Should Know and Do*
The government explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of someone who is sick with the disease or has died from it, or through contact with contaminated materials. A person with Ebola cannot spread the disease before symptoms begin.
Nigerians are advised to:
1. Remain calm but vigilant. There is no need for panic.
2. Practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.
3. Watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.
4. Report any possible exposure immediately, even if feeling well. If symptoms develop, avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
5. Cooperate with public health teams. Anyone contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, should provide necessary information and follow public health advice.
6. Avoid rumours and stigma and share only verified information from official health authorities.
The government assured Nigerians that the country successfully contained Ebola in 2014 and has the experience and public health systems to respond to the current case, but noted that containing the disease requires collective effort.
It said investigations are ongoing and it will continue to provide accurate and timely updates through the Presidential Taskforce on EVD and the NCDC.
Nigerians seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case can call the NCDC toll-free number 6232, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The statement was signed by Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.