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The Federal Government has initiated emergency public health measures following the confirmation of an Ebola virus infection in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with authorities working to identify 44 people who may have been exposed to the disease.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the development during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
He confirmed that laboratory tests had established the infection in a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
According to the minister, the woman arrived in Nigeria on October 7 while experiencing symptoms. Her condition reportedly deteriorated four days later, leading to further medical investigations that eventually confirmed Ebola.
Following the diagnosis, relevant government agencies began coordinating efforts to prevent the infection from spreading to other people.
The agencies involved include the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat.
Pate explained that contact tracing had commenced to locate individuals who might have interacted with the patient during the period of concern.
The 44 identified contacts are expected to be monitored by health officials as part of efforts to detect possible infections and respond promptly if additional cases emerge.
The minister urged people contacted by public health authorities to cooperate fully with the investigation. He specifically called on individuals who may have travelled on relevant flights to provide accurate information and comply with instructions issued by health officials.
He also directed hospitals and other healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen their surveillance systems and report suspected Ebola infections without delay.
According to Pate, healthcare workers must remain vigilant, identify potentially infected patients quickly and apply appropriate isolation procedures and infection prevention measures to protect themselves and other patients.
The minister further advised anyone experiencing symptoms that could indicate Ebola to avoid close contact with others and seek instructions from public health authorities before travelling to a hospital.
Beyond the medical response, Pate warned against spreading false information about the outbreak or discriminating against people suspected of having been exposed to the virus.
He stressed that individuals being monitored should not face stigma, noting the importance of public cooperation in containing the situation. He encouraged Nigerians to obtain information from official government and health agency announcements rather than unverified social media reports.
Ebola is a potentially fatal viral disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people and contaminated objects.
The government's immediate priority is to monitor those potentially exposed, identify any additional infections promptly and prevent further transmission within the country.
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