CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Lagos State health authorities have been placed on alert following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja, with the Federal Government monitoring 44 contacts.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, confirmed on Tuesday, that an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease was detected in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the patient is a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda. Her symptoms began on October 7, four days after her arrival in the country, and she sought medical care at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11.
Laboratory testing confirmed the infection on October 20. The patient is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while investigations are underway to determine the likely source of infection and establish her complete travel and exposure history.
The Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said contact tracing has been intensified, with 44 contacts already identified and being monitored. He added that infection prevention and control measures have been strengthened at the private facility where the patient sought treatment.
The NCDC has activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response, while the World Health Organization, WHO, and partners are supporting Nigeria with case investigation, contact tracing and supply of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
WHO disclosed that Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 15, 2026.
The development is Nigeria’s first confirmed Ebola case in 12 years, following the successful containment of the 2014 outbreak that claimed eight lives.
In Lagos, the State Ministry of Health is said to be on precautionary alert given the state’s status as a major international entry point and its population density. Health officials have urged residents not to panic but to strictly observe preventive measures.
Medical experts advised regular hand washing with soap, avoiding close contact with persons showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting and bleeding, and immediate reporting of any suspected case to the nearest health facility.
Ebola Bundibugyo is one of six known species of Ebola virus. Its symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea. The virus spreads through direct contact with body fluids of an infected person. Early detection, isolation and proper infection control remain critical to containment.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the situation is under control and that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent further spread. Nigerians have been urged to avoid spreading unverified information and to cooperate with health officials.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the NCDC has advised members of the public with recent travel history to Uganda and DR Congo to monitor their health and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms develop.