By Gabriel Ameh
The Federal Government has intensified public health surveillance and containment efforts following the confirmation of an Ebola virus disease (EVD) case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 44 close contacts identified for monitoring.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed this in a statement dated Thursday, October 22, 2026, following the confirmation of the case on October 20.
According to the statement, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
She was subsequently admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received medical care for several days before the infection was confirmed.
The woman is currently in isolation and receiving treatment, the ministry said.
The Federal Government is coordinating the response through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant agencies.
CONTACT TRACING BEGINS
As part of efforts to prevent further transmission, response teams have identified 44 close contacts for monitoring and public health follow-up.
The contacts include people who may have been exposed to the patient during her journey or while she received medical care.
According to the government, health authorities are working to identify, assess and monitor potentially exposed healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and other individuals linked to the woman’s travel.
Surveillance, laboratory testing and other response activities are also being coordinated in line with established public health protocols.
The measures are designed to identify potential cases early, strengthen infection prevention and control, and reduce the risk of further transmission.
FG URGES PUBLIC TO AVOID MISINFORMATION
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians and other residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information about the case.
The public has been advised to follow official health guidance issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC and other relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also cautioned against speculation, stressing the importance of relying on verified information from official government channels.
It said it would continue to work with relevant national institutions and other stakeholders to support the coordinated response.
Further updates, according to the ministry, will be released through official channels as verified information becomes available.
The government expressed appreciation to the public and relevant stakeholders for their cooperation as health authorities work to contain the infection and protect public health.
WHAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW
Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is showing symptoms, or through contact with contaminated materials.
It does not spread through ordinary casual contact in the same way as airborne respiratory infections.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should seek guidance from public health authorities rather than attempt to diagnose or treat themselves.
As contact tracing and monitoring continue in the FCT, updates from health authorities will be important in establishing the extent of the exposure and the effectiveness of containment measures.
