Nigeria has stepped up surveillance at airports and other points of entry after confirming an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Health authorities are now monitoring 44 close contacts while they work to stop any further spread.
The patient is a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda. According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, her symptoms began on October 7, four days after she arrived in the country. She sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11, and laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20. Doctors have since placed her in isolation, where she continues to receive medical care.
Pate addressed the public after the confirmation and sought to reassure Nigerians. He described the situation as “a contained case” and said the government is working with partners to prevent further transmission. He also noted that the woman received treatment at a private hospital in the FCT for several days before officials confirmed the infection. Consequently, contact tracing now covers healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
In its latest update, the Federal Government said some contacts have already tested negative. However, results for others remain pending, so teams continue to follow everyone on the list. Public health officers are also searching for additional people who may have been exposed. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response.
Officials also addressed the question of where the virus came from. They noted that the virus shows genetic similarity to one identified in Kenya. Nevertheless, they stressed that this similarity does not, by itself, prove a direct epidemiological link between the two cases. Investigators are therefore tracing the patient’s travel and exposure history to establish the likely source of the infection.
The case arrives against a wider regional backdrop. Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus since the Democratic Republic of Congo declared an outbreak on May 15, 2026, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Kenya, for its part, has reported nine cases linked to an imported infection. Moreover, Congolese health authorities have recorded more than 9,500 cases and more than 4,200 deaths as of October 18.
Nigeria did not wait for this moment to prepare. NCDC had already placed several states, including Lagos, the FCT, Kano and Rivers, on high alert earlier this year. In addition, the agency conducted a national Ebola preparedness tabletop simulation to test its response arrangements and identify gaps. Its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said at the time that the country had “strengthened national Ebola preparedness measures” since the outbreak began in Congo.
Experts also point to Nigeria’s track record. The government recalled that the country successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and officials say that experience gives the health system a solid foundation. Likewise, the WHO and its partners are supporting Nigerian authorities with case investigation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers. The WHO has not recommended any restrictions on travel or trade with affected countries.
Still, the stakes remain high. Bundibugyo virus disease is a severe form of Ebola, and past outbreaks have recorded case fatality rates of roughly 30 to 50 per cent. Furthermore, NCDC has warned that no approved vaccine or specific treatment exists for this strain. Early detection, isolation and contact tracing therefore remain the most effective defences.
Authorities are urging Nigerians to stay calm and follow official health guidance. They also ask citizens to avoid sharing unverified claims, because false information can spread faster than the virus itself. Residents should take updates only from recognised public health sources, such as the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Anyone who suspects a case should act immediately. The NCDC runs a toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Health officials say prompt reporting gives response teams the best chance to keep this outbreak contained.
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