Nigeria confirms Ebola case with 44 contacts placed under monitoring

Nigeria has recorded an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 44 contacts identified and placed under monitoring.

In a Facebook update on Tuesday, October 20, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the patient is a woman who recently travelled to Uganda and is currently isolated while receiving medical care.

Nigeria becomes the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 15, 2026.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare stated that the woman’s symptoms started on October 7. She sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11, and laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20.

Authorities are investigating the source of the infection, tracing contacts and reinforcing infection prevention measures at the facility where she was treated.

The WHO said it is assisting Nigeria’s response through case investigations, contact tracing and the supply of essential materials, including protective equipment for health workers.

The organisation has called on countries in the region to strengthen disease surveillance and preparedness as the outbreak develops. It has also advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on affected countries.

The confirmation comes as the Ebola outbreak in the DRC continues, with the WHO urging nations across the region to boost their preparedness and monitoring systems.

Kenya has also recorded nine cases linked to an imported infection in recent weeks, according to the WHO.