The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following the confirmation of an infection in Abuja, with health authorities identifying 44 close contacts and launching an extensive tracing exercise.
The development has also prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to increase vigilance at major airports nationwide as relevant agencies strengthen surveillance and coordinate measures to protect travellers, airport personnel and the wider population.
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed the case in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, explaining that laboratory tests had established the infection in a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.
According to the minister, the woman was admitted to a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She has since been isolated and is receiving medical care.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the infection and working to establish the extent of possible exposure to other individuals.
Health officials begin contact tracing
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 Services Secretariat and other relevant institutions.
The 44 identified contacts are being traced and monitored as part of efforts to determine whether anyone else may have been exposed to the virus.
Investigations are also being extended to healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and individuals who may have had contact with the woman during her journey or treatment.
The government is working to identify additional people who might require follow-up as more information becomes available. However, being listed as a contact does not mean that an individual has contracted Ebola.
The private hospital where the patient received treatment is also receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
These interventions are intended to minimise the risk of exposure among medical personnel, patients and other people who may have visited the facility.
Healthcare institutions across the country have been urged to increase their level of preparedness, with medical workers directed to identify suspected infections promptly, isolate patients where necessary and report cases immediately to public health authorities.
The government considers early detection and rapid intervention critical to preventing the confirmed infection from developing into a wider outbreak.
FAAN heightens surveillance at airports
In a separate response to the development, FAAN announced heightened vigilance across major airports in Nigeria, assuring the public that it was working with health and aviation agencies to support national containment efforts.
The authority said it was coordinating with the NCDC, Port Health Services, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other stakeholders to strengthen protective measures across the aviation sector.
In a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN said it would continue monitoring airport operations and align its activities with directives issued by relevant public health authorities.
The agency also expressed its readiness to support additional measures considered necessary to safeguard passengers, airport employees and members of the public.
Passengers, airline operators and terminal workers have been advised to comply with applicable health screening procedures and remain attentive to official announcements.
FAAN further urged Nigerians to avoid circulating unverified reports that could create unnecessary fear, emphasising the importance of obtaining information from recognised government agencies.
The heightened airport alert forms part of the wider response to the confirmed case. It does not, by itself, establish that additional infections have been detected at other airports.
Government advises Nigerians on ebola prevention
Pate has appealed to Nigerians to remain calm while observing appropriate preventive measures and cooperating with health officials.
Members of the public have been advised to wash their hands regularly and avoid direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of people suspected of having Ebola.
Symptoms that require attention include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
Anyone experiencing symptoms after a possible exposure should limit contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
The government has also called on individuals contacted during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to provide accurate information and follow instructions from health officials.
Cooperation with contact-tracing teams is important because it helps authorities identify possible transmission links and determine whether additional interventions are required.
Nigeria draws on previous ebola experience
The latest confirmation comes as Nigeria recalls its experience managing an Ebola outbreak in 2014, when the disease entered the country through an infected traveller.
The country contained that outbreak through measures that included prompt identification and isolation of cases, systematic contact tracing and coordinated action by public health institutions.
The experience demonstrated the importance of effective disease surveillance, timely medical intervention and public cooperation in limiting the spread of infectious diseases.
Pate expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to respond to the current situation, citing the country’s previous experience and public health infrastructure.
He nevertheless stressed that the success of containment efforts would depend partly on public compliance with preventive advice.
The NCDC had previously raised concerns about the risk of Ebola being imported into Nigeria in an advisory issued on October 6.
The warning followed reports of a confirmed case in Kenya linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The regional developments had underscored the importance of maintaining vigilance at points of entry and strengthening preparedness within the country’s healthcare system.
Presidential Task Force to continue monitoring situation
The Federal Government said investigations were ongoing and that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, working alongside the NCDC, would continue providing updates as more information became available.
The public has been urged to avoid speculation and rely on verified announcements while authorities work to contain the infection.
Nigerians who require information or wish to report a suspected case can contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates around the clock, seven days a week.
As health authorities continue tracing contacts and monitoring potential exposure, the government’s immediate priority remains preventing further transmission and ensuring that suspected cases are identified and managed promptly.
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