Patient returns from Uganda, now stable in isolation — Pate
FG activates emergency response, warns against panic, fake news
The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease in Abuja, with 44 contacts identified for monitoring as health authorities race to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development on Tuesday in Abuja, disclosing that laboratory tests confirmed the infection in a woman who recently returned from Uganda in East Africa.
Pate said the patient developed symptoms on October 7 and visited a private health facility on October 11 before subsequent tests confirmed the infection.
He disclosed that the woman had been isolated and was receiving medical care, while relevant health agencies had activated emergency response measures to contain the case.
“Today, we are confirming that there has been one imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory. A laboratory confirmation was received today,” the minister said.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), FCT Health Secretariat, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention are working together to stop further transmission.
The minister said 44 contacts had so far been identified, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who might have had contact with the woman during her journey.
He added that contact tracing was ongoing to identify and monitor other people who might have been exposed to the virus.
“The patient is stable, and we’re doing everything possible to ensure that we contain this through tracing all the contacts that this individual may have had,” he said.
Pate also disclosed that the private hospital where the patient initially received treatment was being supported to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Worried by the possibility of further transmission, the minister urged public and private hospitals nationwide to remain on high alert and promptly report suspected cases to public health authorities.
He stressed that early detection, immediate isolation and strict compliance with infection prevention protocols were crucial to preventing the spread of the disease.
Pate, however, appealed to Nigerians not to panic, assuring them that the country had the expertise and experience needed to respond effectively.
He recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when health authorities mobilised resources to prevent a wider spread after the virus entered Lagos.
“Nigeria rapidly mobilised and effectively controlled that outbreak,” he said, attributing the country’s response capacity to investments in public health infrastructure, emergency operations centres and the training of health professionals.
The minister said the government was drawing on lessons from the previous outbreak, alongside support from international partners, to contain the latest case.
Explaining how Ebola spreads, Pate said the virus could be transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who was sick or had died from the disease. Contact with contaminated materials could also lead to infection.
He advised Nigerians to maintain good hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.
The minister listed possible symptoms to include fever, weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, urging anyone who develops such symptoms after possible exposure to seek medical attention and follow public health advice.
He warned against stigmatising people who might have been exposed to the virus, stressing that cooperation with health officials was essential to containing the infection.
“We advise everyone to remain calm, but vigilant. There is no need for panic,” he said.
Pate urged people contacted by public health teams to cooperate with the contact-tracing exercise and provide the necessary information to help authorities identify possible exposures.
He also warned Nigerians against spreading unverified reports on social media, urging them to rely on official updates from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, WHO and Africa CDC.
“Misinformation, rumours spread through social media, Nigerians should avoid that,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that the incident management system had been activated, with relevant agencies coordinating surveillance, contact tracing and other emergency response measures.
He said a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease had been constituted in May 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s preparedness.
Pate added that President Bola Tinubu was aware of the development and had issued directives on the government’s response.
He assured Nigerians that the government would continue to provide timely updates as the response progressed, while health authorities worked to monitor contacts and prevent further transmission.
The minister also directed members of the public seeking official information or wishing to report suspected cases to contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, which he said was available 24 hours a day.
He emphasised that public cooperation, early reporting and strict adherence to verified medical advice would be critical to containing the case and preventing a wider outbreak.
