The Federal Government has confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 44 close contacts identified as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent further spread.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, following laboratory confirmation of the case on October 20, 2026.

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.

She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

According to the statement, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) are working with the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities to contain the infection.

It said contact tracing had commenced, with public health teams identifying and monitoring people who might have been exposed to the virus, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.

Surveillance has also been intensified, while the hospital where the patient received treatment is receiving immediate support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The government called on public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain on high alert, urging healthcare workers to promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, maintain strict infection prevention measures and immediately report suspected infections to public health authorities.

It 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.

The statement, however, clarified that an infected person could not transmit the disease before symptoms began.

Nigerians were advised to maintain regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola and watch for symptoms, including fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly after possible exposure.

The government also urged anyone who might have been exposed to report immediately, even if they felt well.

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

It further urged people contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health advice.

The statement cautioned against spreading rumours or stigmatising affected persons, urging Nigerians to rely on verified information from official health authorities.

Reassuring the public, the government recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014, saying the country had the experience and public health systems needed to respond to the latest case.

It added that investigations were ongoing and pledged to provide accurate and timely updates through the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease and the NCDC.

The government stressed that early detection, prompt reporting and public cooperation remained critical to preventing further transmission.

For information or to report a suspected case, members of the public can contact the NCDC’s 24-hour toll-free call centre on 6232.