FG CONFIRMS EBOLA CASE IN FCT, ACTIVATES PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE

By: Prudence Okonna

The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory confirmation on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and has activated measures to prevent further spread of the infection.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a press statement in Abuja on Tuesday, 20th October, 2026.

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

According to the statement, the patient 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 and Environment Secretariat and other relevant authorities are working together to contain the infection and protect public health.

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

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

The Federal Government has consequently urged public and private healthcare facilities across the country to remain vigilant, maintain a high index of suspicion and promptly identify, isolate and report suspected cases to the appropriate public health authorities.

Healthcare workers were also advised to observe strict infection prevention and control measures to minimise the risk of transmission.

On public safety, 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 emphasised that a person infected with Ebola cannot transmit the disease before symptoms begin.

The government advised residents to remain calm, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having the disease.

It further urged members of the public to watch for symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly following possible exposure.

Anyone who suspects exposure was advised to report immediately to public health authorities, even in the absence of symptoms. Individuals who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and contact public health authorities for guidance before visiting a healthcare facility.

The statement also called on individuals contacted during contact tracing, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health advice.

The government cautioned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising affected individuals, urging Nigerians to rely on official communications from recognised health authorities.

Reassuring the public, Prof. Pate recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, noting that the country has experience and public health systems to respond to the current case.

He, however, stressed that effective containment would require the cooperation of all Nigerians.

The statement added that the Federal Government, FCT Administration and relevant partners were working together to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public, while investigations into the case continued.

The government assured Nigerians that accurate and timely updates would be provided as more information becomes available.

Abuja Digest reports that the statement urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspected cases promptly and cooperate with public health teams to prevent further transmission.

For further information or to report a suspected case, members of the public can contact the NCDC toll-free call centre on 6232, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.