The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says none of the 62 people exposed to the imported case of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria developed the infection after completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period.

The Director General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this during a briefing on the country’s response to the case confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20, 2026.

He said 13 contacts developed fever and other symptoms but tested negative, while seven suspected cases reported in five states also returned negative results.

Idris, however, cautioned that the development does not mean Nigeria is officially free of Ebola, noting that only the World Health Organisation can make such a declaration.

He said the country would sustain surveillance and preparedness, particularly as cases were still being reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Giving an update on the index case, the NCDC chief said the patient was initially treated in Nigeria before being evacuated to Switzerland on October 26. He disclosed that she later recovered, tested negative and was discharged from the hospital.

Idris said the agency’s Emergency Operations Centre remained activated at Level Three, its highest response level, with all 36 states and the FCT incorporated into the national preparedness framework. He added that surveillance at international entry points, training of health workers and provision of emergency supplies would continue.

He urged Nigerians not to assume that every fever is malaria, advising residents and travellers to seek prompt medical attention and disclose their travel history.

He also called on organisers of public gatherings to provide adequate sanitation, safe drinking water and medical support, while reporting suspected illnesses promptly.

Earlier, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Adedolapo Fasawe, said the case was initially reported by a private health facility after medical personnel suspected Ebola based on the patient’s travel history. She commended the hospital for promptly alerting health authorities and urged other healthcare facilities to report suspected infections without delay.