The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
According to the minister, the woman was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where she received treatment for several days before the disease was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
The government said public health authorities had identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat are coordinating efforts to contain the infection.
Health officials are working to identify and monitor other people who may have been exposed to the virus, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers, and travel contacts.
Surveillance has been intensified, while the hospital where the woman was treated is receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
The Federal Government has urged public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain vigilant, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, observe strict infection prevention protocols, and report suspected infections to public health authorities without delay.
Pate also urged Nigerians to remain calm and observe preventive measures, including regular handwashing and avoiding contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
Symptoms to watch for include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea, particularly among people who may have been exposed to the infection.
The government advised anyone who develops symptoms to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.
It also urged people contacted by public health teams during the tracing exercise, including potentially exposed airline passengers, to cooperate with officials and provide the information required.
The confirmation comes amid an evolving regional Ebola outbreak. On October 6, Nigeria’s disease control agency had raised concerns about the risk of importing the infection after Kenya confirmed an imported case linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, as well as contaminated objects and surfaces. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.
Nigeria previously contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 through case identification, isolation, contact tracing, and coordinated public health interventions.
The Federal Government said investigations and response efforts were continuing, with the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC expected to provide further updates.
Members of the public can contact the NCDC’s toll-free call center on 6232, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information or to report a suspected case.