Government launches emergency response after a woman who recently travelled from Uganda tests positive for Ebola, as Africa CDC warns of a widening regional outbreak and urges urgent international support.

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, triggering an emergency public health response and the identification of 44 people who may have been exposed to the infection.

The Federal Government disclosed the development on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, saying the infected woman had recently travelled from Uganda and developed symptoms several days before seeking medical attention at a private hospital in Abuja.

Health authorities have isolated the patient and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission, while medical teams are monitoring individuals who may have come into contact with her.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the woman’s symptoms began on October 7. She visited a private medical facility on October 11, but her condition subsequently deteriorated, prompting further investigations that confirmed Ebola infection on October 20.

The minister said 44 contacts had already been identified, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who may have travelled with the woman.

Contact tracing and surveillance are continuing as authorities work to establish the extent of possible exposure.

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Pate urged anyone contacted by public health officials, particularly people who may have travelled with the patient, to provide accurate information and comply with instructions from health authorities.

He stressed that cooperation with contact-tracing teams would be essential to containing the infection and preventing further cases.

Government activates emergency response

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Secretariat, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The private hospital where the woman initially received treatment is also being supported to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

Pate called on public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain vigilant, promptly identify patients with symptoms suggestive of Ebola, and immediately isolate and report suspected cases.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with public health officials.

The minister also pointed to Nigeria’s successful containment of an Ebola outbreak in 2014, expressing confidence in the country’s public health expertise and emergency response systems.

He disclosed that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease had been established in May 2026 as part of the government's preparedness efforts.

Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report suspected cases can contact the NCDC’s toll-free helpline on 6232, which the minister said operates around the clock.

Africa CDC warns of growing regional threat

Nigeria’s confirmed case comes amid a wider Ebola emergency affecting parts of Africa, raising concerns about cross-border transmission and the need for a coordinated international response.

According to information available on October 20, Kenya had reported nine confirmed cases, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continued to grapple with the outbreak. Uganda is also under heightened surveillance.

In a statement titled “Ebola in Nigeria: An Urgent Call for Global Solidarity,” Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya said he had spoken with Pate about Nigeria’s case and commended the Nigerian government for promptly sharing the information.

Kaseya recalled that Africa CDC had warned of the outbreak’s regional implications when it was declared on May 15, 2026.

He described the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak as the most geographically widespread in history, saying it had affected multiple countries across three African regions.

The Africa CDC chief expressed particular concern about the situation in the DRC, where the reported mortality rate was approaching 50 per cent.

He said the agency was mobilising assistance for Nigeria, strengthening its response in the DRC and Kenya, and maintaining heightened vigilance in Uganda.

Kaseya called on international partners to provide immediate and flexible funding, medical supplies, diagnostic capacity, trained emergency responders and stronger community-based surveillance.

He warned that delays in mobilising resources could cost lives and increase the risk of the outbreak spreading to additional countries.

The Africa CDC director-general urged governments, international health agencies and development partners to coordinate their efforts, stressing that containing Ebola in Africa was essential to protecting global health security.

What Nigerians need to know about Ebola

Ebola virus disease is a severe illness caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. The current regional outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, which has previously caused outbreaks in Central and East Africa.

The infection spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or someone who has died from the disease.

Transmission can also occur through contaminated clothing, bedding, medical equipment and other materials. Contact with infected animals may also expose people to the virus.

Symptoms generally develop between two and 21 days after exposure and can include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Some patients may experience bleeding, although this does not occur in every case.

Because early symptoms can resemble malaria and other common illnesses, prompt medical assessment and laboratory testing are crucial when Ebola exposure is suspected.

People who develop symptoms after possible exposure should contact public health authorities immediately, disclose their travel and contact history, and follow official medical advice.

Ebola is not generally transmitted before symptoms develop. This makes early detection, prompt isolation and effective contact tracing central to preventing further spread.

Preventive measures include regular handwashing, avoiding contact with the bodily fluids of suspected or confirmed cases, using appropriate protective equipment when caring for patients, and ensuring that contaminated materials and suspected Ebola-related deaths are handled safely by trained personnel.

Authorities urge vigilance as investigations continue

Although the confirmed case has heightened public health concerns, the government is urging Nigerians to remain vigilant without giving in to panic.

Authorities are continuing investigations and monitoring identified contacts to determine whether additional infections have occurred.

The government has also called on healthcare workers, transport operators and members of the public to cooperate with surveillance teams and report relevant information promptly.

With Ebola cases reported across several African countries, Nigeria’s immediate priority is to prevent the Abuja case from triggering further transmission while strengthening preparedness across the country.

Further updates are expected as contact tracing and investigations progress.