morganable News/Public Health
Pate explained that the patient had travelled to Eastern Africa, particularly Uganda, before returning to Nigeria, where she subsequently developed symptoms associated with the disease.
KaNo—
The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with health authorities identifying 44 persons who may have been exposed to the infected patient as efforts intensify to prevent further transmission.
The development comes amid growing concerns over the spread of Ebola across parts of Africa, prompting the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to call for urgent international intervention to contain the outbreak.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, disclosed on Tuesday that the patient, a woman who recently returned from Uganda, developed symptoms on October 7 before seeking medical attention at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11.
According to the minister, the woman’s condition deteriorated despite receiving treatment, leading to further investigations that confirmed Ebola virus disease on October 20, 2026.
Pate explained that the patient had travelled to Eastern Africa, particularly Uganda, before returning to Nigeria, where she subsequently developed symptoms associated with the disease.
He said the patient had been placed in isolation and was receiving appropriate medical care, while public health officials continued efforts to identify individuals who might have come into contact with her.
The minister disclosed that 44 contacts had already been identified, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and individuals who might have travelled with the infected woman.
He explained that contact tracing remained ongoing, stressing that identifying and monitoring potentially exposed persons was essential to preventing further infections.
Pate urged members of the public, particularly those contacted by health officials, to cooperate fully with surveillance teams by providing accurate information about their movements and possible exposure.
He specifically appealed to passengers who might have travelled alongside the patient to comply with public health instructions and provide relevant information to facilitate monitoring.
The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had activated necessary response mechanisms to contain the infection and prevent the emergence of additional cases.
He said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare was working closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the FCT Health Secretariat, the World Health Organisation and Africa CDC to coordinate surveillance and emergency response activities.
According to him, the private hospital where the patient initially received treatment was also receiving technical assistance to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Pate directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to maintain heightened surveillance, promptly isolate suspected cases and notify the appropriate health authorities without delay.
He emphasised that early detection, effective infection prevention practices and timely reporting remained critical to protecting healthcare workers, patients and surrounding communities.
The confirmation comes against the backdrop of a wider regional Ebola emergency, with Kenya reportedly recording nine confirmed cases as of October 20, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to battle infections.
The developments have raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly as international travel and population movements increase the possibility of infections spreading between countries.
Reacting to Nigeria’s confirmed case, the Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, called for urgent international solidarity and additional resources to strengthen outbreak containment efforts.
In a statement titled “Ebola in Nigeria: An Urgent Call for Global Solidarity,” Kaseya disclosed that he had spoken with Pate following the confirmation and commended the Nigerian authorities for promptly communicating the development.
He recalled that Africa CDC had warned about the potential regional implications of the outbreak when it was declared on May 15, 2026.
According to Kaseya, the current Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has spread across multiple countries in three African regions, making it the most geographically widespread outbreak in the disease’s history.
He expressed particular concern about the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he said the mortality rate was approaching 50 per cent.
Kaseya explained that Africa CDC was mobilising support for Nigeria while strengthening its response in the DRC and Kenya and maintaining heightened surveillance in Uganda.
He appealed to international development partners, governments and health organisations to provide immediate financial and technical assistance to affected countries.
The Africa CDC chief identified flexible emergency financing, medical supplies, laboratory diagnostic capacity, trained emergency responders and community-based surveillance as critical requirements for containing the outbreak.
He warned that delays in providing the necessary support could result in additional infections and preventable deaths.
Kaseya maintained that containing Ebola in affected African countries was essential not only to regional public health but also to global health security.
He therefore urged international stakeholders to coordinate their interventions and support national health authorities in strengthening outbreak preparedness and response systems.
Ebola virus disease is a severe infectious illness caused by viruses belonging to the Orthoebolavirus genus, with the current regional outbreak involving the Bundibugyo virus.
The disease spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms.
Transmission can also occur through contaminated medical equipment, clothing, bedding and other materials, while contact with infected animals may expose humans to the virus.
Symptoms usually develop between two and 21 days after exposure and may include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort.
Although some infected persons experience bleeding, health experts explain that the symptom does not occur in every case.
Early symptoms may resemble malaria and other common illnesses, making prompt medical evaluation and laboratory confirmation necessary.
Public health authorities advise individuals who develop symptoms after possible exposure to immediately contact designated health officials and disclose their travel and contact histories.
Preventive measures include regular handwashing, avoiding direct contact with infected body fluids, using appropriate protective equipment and ensuring safe handling of contaminated materials.
Meanwhile, Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with health officials conducting surveillance and contact tracing.
He recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, expressing confidence in the country’s existing public health expertise and emergency response capacity.
The minister further disclosed that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease had been constituted in May 2026 to strengthen national preparedness against potential infections.
He assured the public that relevant government agencies and international partners were coordinating their efforts to prevent further transmission.
Pate encouraged Nigerians seeking information or wishing to report suspected infections to contact the NCDC through its toll-free number, 6232, which operates around the clock.
