The Federal Government has confirmed a case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following laboratory tests conducted on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

The case involves a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda and was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received medical attention for several days before the disease was confirmed.

The government disclosed that the patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while relevant health authorities have activated measures to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali 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 agencies were working together to manage the situation.

According to the statement, contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified so far.

The government said public health officials were identifying and monitoring individuals who might have been exposed to the infection, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who travelled in connection with the case.

It added that surveillance had been intensified and the affected hospital was receiving immediate assistance to strengthen its infection prevention and control measures.

The Federal Government also directed public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain alert and promptly report suspected cases.

Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, identify and isolate suspected patients without delay, observe strict infection prevention and control procedures, and immediately notify public health authorities of any suspected infection.

Explaining how the disease spreads, the government said Ebola is transmitted 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.

However, it stressed that an infected person cannot transmit the disease before symptoms develop.

Nigerians were urged to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.

The government listed symptoms to watch out for as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among people who may have been exposed to the virus.

It also advised anyone who suspects they have been exposed to the disease to report immediately, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.

Those who develop symptoms were urged to avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

The statement further called on individuals contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to cooperate with health officials, provide the necessary information and comply with public health instructions.

The government warned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people who may have been exposed to the virus, urging Nigerians to rely on announcements from recognised health authorities.

Reassuring the public of the country’s capacity to manage the outbreak, the Federal Government recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014.

“Nigeria successfully contained Ebola in 2014, and we have the experience and public health systems to respond to this case,” the statement said.

It added, however, that preventing further transmission would require collective responsibility and cooperation from the public.

“Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread,” the government stated.

The government said investigations were continuing and promised to provide accurate and timely updates as more information became available.

It also disclosed that the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease, working with the NCDC, would continue to provide updates on the response.

Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report a suspected case were advised to contact the NCDC’s toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.