Nigeria Records No New Ebola Case 21 Days After Index Infection – NCDC

…28 contacts remain under surveillance as 34 complete monitoring

Nigeria has recorded no new confirmed Ebola case, 21 days after detecting an imported infection of the Bundibugyo strain, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said.

The agency, however, disclosed that 28 contacts linked to the index case remained under monitoring, while 34 others had completed the mandatory 21-day follow-up as of November 9, 2026.

The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in a national health security update issued on Tuesday, saying 62 contacts had been identified since Nigeria confirmed the imported case on October 20.

According to him, the index case involved a traveller from Uganda. He said the NCDC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCT Administration, state governments and development partners, had sustained surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and infection prevention measures.

Idris clarified that being identified as a contact did not mean that an individual had contracted the disease, explaining that the monitoring process was intended to detect symptoms early and ensure a prompt public health response.

He said the agency was also investigating reported alerts and maintaining heightened surveillance nationwide to ensure that suspected cases were promptly identified and tested.

The NCDC boss urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain vigilant, obtain patients’ travel and exposure histories, observe infection prevention measures and immediately report suspected cases to public health authorities.

He advised anyone who developed symptoms after possible exposure to Ebola to avoid contact with others and call the NCDC toll-free line on 6232 for guidance before travelling to a health facility.

Beyond Ebola, Idris disclosed that Nigeria was also responding to outbreaks of dengue fever in Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as Chikungunya in Sokoto.

He said the agency had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre in Enugu, to support affected states with case identification, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.

Idris warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria, noting that dengue and Chikungunya could also cause fever, headaches, body pains and joint pains.

He urged people experiencing persistent fever, particularly when accompanied by rash, vomiting or severe joint pains, to seek medical attention. Severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing, he warned, could indicate serious dengue complications requiring urgent care.

The NCDC chief also advised households to eliminate stagnant water, cover water containers, clear discarded tyres and protect themselves against mosquito bites, stressing that mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the infections often bite during the day.

On cerebrospinal meningitis, he warned that the approaching dry season could increase infection risks in parts of the country’s meningitis belt.

He called on state governments to strengthen disease surveillance, diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses where necessary, adding that sudden fever accompanied by severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion or altered consciousness required urgent medical attention.

Idris further identified diphtheria as a continuing public health threat, particularly among children who had missed routine immunisation. He said the agency was supporting states with surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, case management and outbreak response.

He urged parents and caregivers to verify their children’s vaccination status and seek guidance on missed doses.

The NCDC director-general also warned that Nigeria was approaching the period when Lassa fever cases historically increase, urging state governments and health facilities to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment readiness and infection prevention ahead of the seasonal peak.

He advised households to protect food from rodents, store food in covered containers and maintain clean surroundings, while encouraging people with persistent fever to seek medical attention early.

On preparations for the forthcoming festive season, Idris expressed concern over the public health risks associated with increased travel and mass gatherings.

He urged state governments, event organisers and healthcare providers to make basic medical services available at major gatherings, maintain hygiene and sanitation standards, and establish arrangements for identifying and reporting suspected infectious diseases.

He also called on state governments to provide frontline health workers and emergency response teams with adequate funding, equipment, logistics and operational support to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease threats.

Idris urged Nigerians to cooperate with public health authorities, ensure their children received routine vaccinations and avoid spreading unverified information about disease outbreaks.

He said Nigeria’s health security depended not only on responding to outbreaks but also on detecting threats early, preventing infections and strengthening preparedness at all levels of government.

“For guidance or to report a suspected case, contact the NCDC toll-free line on 6232, or your state public health authorities,” he said.

Toyin Adebayo is dedicated professional with over a decade experience of covering news and current events. My background lies in gathering and analyzing facts about newsworthy events through stories, features, interview, investigation, and observation. My reports have featured in many National Dailies and currently with INDEPENDENT Newspaper. Toyin holds a BA Ed in English Education, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, National Association of Women Journalist. Married with kids.

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