Muhammed Abubakar Reporting
THE Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 44 contacts already identified and placed under monitoring as the authorities intensify measures to stop any further spread of the virus.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, revealing that laboratory tests confirmed the infection in a woman who had recently travelled to Uganda.
He disclosed that the patient developed symptoms on 7 October and sought treatment at a private health facility on 11 October before additional investigations confirmed she had contracted Ebola Virus Disease.
Pate said the woman has been isolated and is receiving treatment, while the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Secretariat, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) are jointly coordinating efforts to contain the infection.
According to the minister, laboratory confirmation of the imported case was received on Tuesday, noting that the patient had travelled to eastern Africa, particularly Uganda, before returning to Nigeria where she later became ill.
He explained that contact tracing had already begun, with 44 people identified so far, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel-related contacts who may have interacted with the infected woman.
Pate added that health officials are still searching for additional contacts while supporting the private hospital where the patient first received treatment to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
He assured that the patient remains stable and said every necessary step is being taken to trace all contacts and stop the virus from spreading into the wider community.
The minister directed public and private health facilities across the country to remain on high alert, stressing that early detection, immediate isolation and prompt reporting of suspected cases are essential to preventing further transmission.
He instructed healthcare workers to maintain a high level of suspicion, strictly observe infection prevention and control protocols and immediately report any suspected case to the relevant public health authorities.
Pate appealed to Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, assuring them that the country possesses the expertise, experience and institutional capacity needed to manage the situation effectively.
He recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak after the virus was introduced into Lagos, attributing that achievement to investments in public health systems, emergency operations centres and the training of health professionals, including personnel developed through the country’s polio eradication programme.
The minister said the current response is drawing heavily on those previous experiences while also benefiting from support provided by international health partners.
He explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as contaminated materials.
Pate advised citizens to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of carrying the virus and remain alert for symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, especially after travel or possible exposure.
He cautioned that public awareness should not result in panic, discrimination or the stigmatisation of anyone who may have been exposed to the disease.
The minister urged anyone contacted during the ongoing tracing exercise, including passengers who may have travelled with the patient, to cooperate fully with health officials by providing accurate information and following medical guidance.
He also warned Nigerians against spreading rumours or unverified reports on social media, urging the public to rely only on official updates from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, the WHO and Africa CDC.
Pate said the government announced the case promptly to encourage public cooperation and strengthen efforts aimed at preventing further transmission.
He disclosed that the national incident management system has already been activated, with the relevant health agencies coordinating surveillance, contact tracing and other emergency response activities.
The minister further revealed that a presidential task force on Ebola Virus Disease was established in May 2026, describing the move as evidence of the administration’s early preparations and commitment to national response readiness.
He said President Bola Tinubu has been fully briefed on the situation and has issued directives to support the government’s response.
Pate assured that timely and accurate updates would continue to be provided as investigations progress.
He urged members of the public to report suspected cases or obtain verified information through the NCDC’s 24-hour toll-free call centre on 6232.
The minister stressed that containing the imported case will depend on early detection, prompt reporting, cooperation with public health authorities and strict compliance with verified medical advice.
The Federal Government maintained that its immediate priority is to trace every possible contact, reinforce infection prevention measures and prevent the imported Ebola case from escalating into community transmission.
