By Daily Review Online
The Federal Government has confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.
According to a statement attributed to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, 44 close contacts had been identified following the reported laboratory confirmation of the infection on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was reportedly admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.
She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, according to the statement signed by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako.
Pate said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities were collaborating to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
He explained that public health teams had begun tracing and monitoring people who might have come into contact with the patient during her travels and hospital treatment.
Those being monitored reportedly include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and other individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
The minister added that surveillance had been intensified, while the private hospital where the patient was treated was receiving support to strengthen its infection prevention and control measures.
He urged individuals contacted by public health officials, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with all precautionary advice.
Pate also called on public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected Ebola cases to the appropriate authorities.
Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, and strictly observe infection prevention and control procedures.
The government urged Nigerians to remain calm while maintaining good personal hygiene, including regular handwashing, and avoiding contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
Symptoms to watch for include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.
Pate advised anyone who suspects exposure to contact public health authorities immediately, even if they have not developed symptoms.
He further urged people who develop symptoms to avoid close contact with others and seek guidance from public health officials by telephone before visiting a healthcare facility.
The minister cautioned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising individuals who might have been exposed, stressing the importance of relying on official updates from health authorities.
He said the Federal Government, FCT authorities and their partners were continuing investigations and taking measures to protect healthcare workers, patients and the general public.
The statement also disclosed that the NCDC’s toll-free call centre was available round the clock to provide information and receive reports of suspected cases.