Nigeria Confirms Ebola Case, Intensifies Health Measures

On 20 October 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria confirmed a case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The patient, a woman who arrived from Uganda, is currently in isolation and receiving medical care at a private hospital.

Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, stated that contact tracing has commenced, identifying 44 close contacts, including healthcare workers and caregivers. Public health teams are actively monitoring those who may have been exposed.

The government has called for heightened alertness among all healthcare facilities, urging workers to identify and isolate suspected cases while adhering to strict infection prevention measures. Nigerians are advised to maintain hand hygiene and avoid contact with bodily fluids of suspected Ebola cases.

Symptoms to monitor include severe weakness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The government also emphasized the importance of reporting any possible exposure and complying with public health instructions.

This confirmation follows an advisory from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention regarding heightened preparedness due to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.