RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
The United Nations has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to contain a reported imported case of Ebola virus disease, pledging continued international support to prevent further transmission.
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, gave the assurance on Wednesday, October 21, while responding to questions from journalists at the organisation’s headquarters in New York.
Dujarric said the United Nations was concerned about reports of the Ebola Bundibugyo virus in Nigeria but expressed confidence in the ability of the country’s health authorities to respond effectively.
According to him, Nigerian officials had commenced contact tracing and other public health measures aimed at identifying individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.
He stressed that international cooperation remained essential to controlling infectious disease outbreaks, particularly those capable of spreading across national borders.
The spokesperson urged governments to comply with international health regulations and work closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency response.
He reaffirmed the UN’s willingness to provide technical and other necessary assistance to Nigeria, noting that WHO personnel were expected to collaborate with national health authorities.
The reported infection involved a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda to Nigeria.
According to the account attributed to the WHO, the patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention in Abuja on October 11 and received a positive laboratory result on October 20.
The patient was reportedly placed in isolation for treatment, while health officials identified 44 people for contact tracing and monitoring.
Public health authorities emphasise that identifying contacts does not mean those individuals have contracted the disease. Contact tracing is intended to detect possible infections early and interrupt transmission.
Ebola virus disease is a serious infection that spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of infected people who are symptomatic, as well as contaminated materials.
Symptoms may include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding.
Health experts recommend prompt reporting of suspected cases, avoiding direct contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids and following guidance issued by recognised public health authorities.
The UN’s reported assurance comes amid concerns about the potential spread of Ebola through international travel and the importance of maintaining effective surveillance at entry points.
The organisation reiterated the need for affected countries to share information, coordinate their responses and strengthen healthcare preparedness to minimise the risk of further transmission.
