The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), prompting an emergency public health response to prevent further transmission.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.

According to the statement, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.

The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

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 are coordinating efforts to contain the infection.

The government said contact tracing had commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far. Public health teams are working to identify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment is receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The Federal Government has directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert. Healthcare workers have been urged to promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, maintain strict infection prevention measures and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.

HOW EBOLA SPREADS

The government explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person who is sick or has died from the disease, as well as contact with contaminated materials.

It stressed that an infected person cannot transmit the virus before symptoms begin.

Nigerians have been advised to maintain proper hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola and watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.

Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed has been urged to report immediately, even if they feel well.

Individuals who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

The government also urged people contacted during the ongoing tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health instructions.

Citizens were cautioned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising anyone who may have been exposed to the disease.

FG ASSURES NIGERIANS OF CONTAINMENT

Professor Pate said Nigeria had the experience and public health capacity to respond effectively, citing the successful containment of Ebola in the country in 2014.

He, however, emphasised that preventing further transmission would require cooperation from the public, healthcare workers and other stakeholders.

The minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government, FCT authorities and their partners were working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider population.

He said investigations were ongoing, with further updates expected through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.

Members of the public can obtain information or report suspected cases through the NCDC’s toll-free helpline, 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.