Nigeria's Health Minister Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja

Nigeria has confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following laboratory tests. Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate announced this development in a statement on October 20, 2026.

A total of 44 close contacts of the infected individual have been identified, and public health teams are actively tracing additional contacts, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and airline passengers. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat are coordinating the response.

Surveillance has been intensified, and the hospital treating the patient is receiving direct support for infection prevention and control. All healthcare facilities nationwide are on high alert, and health workers have been instructed to isolate suspected cases and report them promptly.

Prof. Pate urged the public to remain calm yet cautious, emphasizing preventive measures such as handwashing and avoiding contact with potentially infected individuals. The NCDC had previously issued an advisory on October 6, 2026, regarding the risk of Ebola being imported from an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.