Freetown, 20th October 2026- The Nigerian Government has confirmed a case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), prompting health authorities to activate emergency measures to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed that the patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in Abuja, where laboratory tests later confirmed the infection.
The patient is currently in isolation and receiving treatment, while health officials have begun an intensive contact-tracing exercise. Authorities said 44 close contacts, including healthcare workers, caregivers, patients and travel contacts, have so far been identified and are being monitored.
The Federal Government, working through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the FCT Health Services Secretariat, said surveillance has been heightened and infection prevention measures strengthened at the affected facility.
Health authorities urged healthcare institutions across the country to remain on high alert and immediately report suspected cases.
Officials also called on the public to remain calm, maintain good hygiene practices and cooperate with ongoing public health measures, stressing that Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons and cannot be spread before symptoms appear.
The government expressed confidence in its response capacity, recalling Nigeria’s successful containment of the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
“Early detection, prompt reporting and everyone’s cooperation are critical to preventing further spread,” the statement noted.
The NCDC said it will continue providing updates as investigations and containment efforts continue.
