Nigeria's Health Minister Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja

On October 20, 2026, Nigeria confirmed a case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following laboratory tests. Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate announced that 44 close contacts of the infected individual had been identified, with public health teams actively tracing additional potential exposures, including healthcare workers 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. Pate emphasized the importance of public cooperation and preventive measures, such as regular handwashing and avoiding contact with infected bodily fluids.

The confirmation follows an NCDC advisory on October 6, 2026, regarding the risk of Ebola being imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.