The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as health authorities begin tracing 44 people who may have been exposed to the virus.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
The government said the patient is a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda on an international flight and was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the disease was confirmed.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical attention.
Following the confirmation, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat have activated response measures to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
Authorities have identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing, while efforts are ongoing to identify and monitor other potentially exposed individuals, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and fellow travellers.
The government has also intensified disease surveillance and begun supporting the hospital where the patient was treated to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Healthcare facilities across the country have been directed to remain vigilant, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, strictly observe infection prevention protocols and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.
Pate called on Nigerians to remain calm and adhere to preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
He listed symptoms of the disease to include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly in individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
The minister advised anyone who develops symptoms to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for instructions before visiting a healthcare facility.
The government also urged individuals contacted by public health officials during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to cooperate fully and provide the information required to support the investigation.
The development comes amid an ongoing regional Ebola outbreak. The NCDC had raised concerns in an October 6 advisory about the possibility of importing the virus following a confirmed case in Kenya linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of infected people or contaminated objects and surfaces. The virus is not transmissible before symptoms appear, and its incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Nigeria experienced an Ebola outbreak in 2014 after an infected traveller introduced the virus into the country. The outbreak was contained through rapid identification and isolation of cases, contact tracing and coordinated public health interventions.
Pate expressed confidence in Nigeria's capacity to respond to the confirmed case, citing the country's previous experience and existing public health systems. He, however, emphasised the importance of public cooperation in preventing further spread.
The Federal Government said investigations were continuing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, in collaboration with the NCDC, would provide further updates.
Members of the public can obtain information or report suspected cases through the NCDC's toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
