Ebola Alert in Abuja: Nigeria Confirms Imported Case, Places 44 Contacts Under Watch

*Ebola Preventive measure in Abuja

Nigeria has activated emergency public health measures after confirming an imported case of Ebola virus disease in Abuja, with authorities already tracing and monitoring 44 contacts linked to the patient in a bid to prevent a potential outbreak.

The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), triggering an immediate public health response that has seen 44 contacts identified and placed under active surveillance.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed the development during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, assuring Nigerians that authorities were taking swift action to contain the disease and prevent further transmission.

According to the minister, the patient, a woman who recently travelled to Uganda, returned to Nigeria on September 7 exhibiting symptoms consistent with Ebola infection. Her condition reportedly worsened four days later, prompting further medical evaluation.

She was initially admitted to a private hospital before laboratory investigations confirmed she had contracted the deadly viral disease.

Health authorities said the patient has since been isolated and is currently receiving medical treatment.

As part of containment efforts, officials have commenced extensive contact tracing, identifying 44 individuals who may have been exposed to the virus.

The contacts are being closely monitored under established public health protocols.

Pate said surveillance has also been intensified at airports, land borders and other points of entry to strengthen early detection and prevent any possible spread of the disease.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is coordinating the response alongside the FCT Health Secretariat, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and other public health partners.

The minister urged healthcare workers across the country to remain alert, especially when attending to patients presenting symptoms associated with Ebola and a recent history of travel to affected areas.

He also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, observe good hygiene practices and cooperate fully with public health officials.

Common symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe weakness, headache and diarrhoea, although health experts note that these symptoms may also occur in other illnesses.

Seeking to allay public fears, Pate said the situation remains under control and pledged that the government would continue to provide timely and transparent updates as response efforts progress.

He added that Nigeria is leveraging the experience gained from successfully containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak, as well as its strengthened disease surveillance and emergency response systems, to tackle the current threat.