RismadarVoice Reporters
October 23, 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has intensified efforts to contain Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case, placing high-risk contacts under quarantine as health officials report encouraging signs of recovery in the infected patient.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed that recent laboratory results indicated significant improvement in the patient’s condition.
Pate expressed optimism about her recovery but cautioned that the government would maintain strict containment measures until the public health risks were adequately addressed.
Nigeria confirmed the imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus on October 20, following laboratory tests conducted on a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda.
According to the World Health Organisation, the patient developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private healthcare facility in Abuja on October 11.
Health authorities have identified 44 close contacts, while the Federal Government has imposed a 21-day air travel restriction on 46 individuals, including two domestic workers.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to notify domestic and international airlines of the restriction.
The measure is intended to prevent possible transmission while exposed individuals undergo monitoring.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system, working alongside the Federal Capital Territory Administration and other public health agencies.
Authorities say there is currently no confirmed evidence of community transmission, although contact tracing and surveillance remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jean Kaseya, has called for greater clarity concerning the patient’s travel history.
Kaseya said investigations were continuing to establish whether the woman contracted the virus in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo or elsewhere.
Differing accounts from health authorities have complicated efforts to establish the precise source of infection.
Renowned virologist Professor Oyewale Tomori has also urged the government to ensure transparent communication, adequate isolation facilities and stronger preparedness across healthcare institutions.
Several South-East states, including Abia, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi, have reportedly strengthened surveillance and emergency response arrangements.
Health authorities continue to advise Nigerians to avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, maintain proper hygiene and promptly report suspected cases.
Officials have urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with ongoing containment measures.
