* Identifies 44 contacts
* Seeks passengers’ cooperation
By Francis Ekeh
The Federal Government has confirmed the existence of the dreaded Ebola Disease in Nigeria, specifically, Abuja, and urged passengers who travelled with a woman confirmed to have Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory to cooperate with public health authorities as contact tracing continues to identify people who may have been exposed to the infection.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, made the appeal on Tuesday, saying 44 contacts had been identified following laboratory confirmation of the case on October 20, 2026.
The patient, who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11.
Her condition was said to have subsequently worsened, and further tests confirmed the infection.
She is currently in isolation, and receiving medical care, the Health minister said.
“The interval between the onset of symptoms and the confirmation of the infection has made contact tracing a critical part of the response, as health authorities work to establish who may have had contact with the patient during the relevant period”, said Pate.
The minister added that an ongoing exercise covered healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who travelled with the woman.
“Contact tracing has been conducted, and it’s underway as we speak, with 44 contacts already identified presently,” the minister said.
He specifically urged anyone contacted by public health teams, including those who might have travelled with the patient, to provide the requested information and comply with official guidance.
“Anyone contacted during the contact tracing period that we are in, including those who may have travelled with that individual, should provide necessary information requested and follow public health advice,” he said.
The appeal comes amid heightened concern over the risk of cross-border transmission of Ebola following recent developments in East Africa.
On October 6, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention announced increased surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, linked to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The agency warned that international travel and population movement could facilitate the importation of the disease into Nigeria.
The NCDC had said it was strengthening preparedness through surveillance, laboratory testing, isolation and referral systems, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and coordination with state and international health authorities.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted primarily through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or through contaminated materials.
Symptoms typically appear between two and 21 days after exposure and may include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
The period between exposure and the onset of symptoms makes identifying and monitoring contacts particularly important. People identified as contacts are not necessarily infected, but health authorities need to establish whether they were exposed and monitor them in line with public health guidance.
Pate said the government was also strengthening surveillance and supporting the private hospital where the patient received treatment to reinforce infection prevention and control measures.
He called on public and private health facilities nationwide to remain vigilant, promptly isolate suspected cases and immediately report them to public health authorities.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain calm, practice regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola and refrain from spreading unverified information or stigmatizing people who might have been exposed.
He recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak, saying the country had the public health expertise and response systems required to manage the current case.
The government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing, with further updates expected as more information became available.
The health minister advised members of the public to contact the NCDC’s toll-free line, 6232, which he said operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for information or to report a suspected case.
Nigeria’s 2014 Ebola outbreak began on July 20, 2014, when an infected traveller, Patrick Sawyer, flew from Liberia into Lagos and was treated at a private hospital. A total of 20 confirmed cases (and 1 probable case), 8 deaths (including healthcare workers and Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh, who kept the index patient isolated). Eleven patients recovered and were discharged. About 894 to 899 contacts were traced and monitored. The outbreak was contained by August 31, 2014, and the World Health Organization officially declared Nigeria Ebola-free on October 20, 2014, after passing 42 days with no new cases.