Ebola: NCDC tracks 53 contacts as patient’s condition improves

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified and monitored 53 contacts linked to Nigeria’s confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as the patient’s condition continues to improve.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja, saying the 42-year-old female patient was receiving medical care in isolation.

According to the agency’s Ebola Disease Situation Report dated October 24, 2026, the contacts identified include healthcare workers, domestic staff and the patient’s spouse.

Idris said contact tracing and monitoring were ongoing, with public health teams working to identify anyone who might have been exposed to the patient and monitor them for 21 days after their last possible exposure.

He urged anyone contacted by public health officials to cooperate fully and provide accurate information to support efforts to prevent further transmission.

The patient reportedly returned from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3 and developed symptoms, including fever, diarrhoea, generalised body aches and sore throat, on October 7.

She visited a private health facility on October 10 and was admitted to another private facility the following day.

The NCDC was notified of the case on October 19, while laboratory confirmation was made on October 20 by the agency’s National Reference Laboratory.

Idris said the national Incident Management System had been activated at the highest level to coordinate the response.

He added that diagnostic testing and laboratory surveillance were continuing, while genomic sequencing of the confirmed case had been completed by the NCDC National Reference Laboratory and the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.

The NCDC also disclosed that a suspected Ebola case reported by Rivers State on October 23 tested negative, with the result communicated to the state.

As part of efforts to strengthen clinical preparedness, the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital has undergone a needs assessment and optimisation exercise to prepare it for use as an isolation and treatment centre.

The agency is also assessing infection prevention and control capacity across states and healthcare facilities, while engaging with the facility managing the confirmed patient.

Idris said the NCDC had strengthened its stockpile of personal protective equipment and other essential supplies, including the addition of 500 donated laboratory testing kits.

He added that enhanced surveillance at the country’s points of entry was continuing, alongside public awareness campaigns and efforts to monitor rumours and misinformation.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of suspected cases, promptly report possible exposure and cooperate with contact-tracing teams.

It advised anyone who develops symptoms after possible exposure to contact public health authorities and follow their instructions before visiting a healthcare facility.

The agency also urged the public to remain calm, avoid stigmatising affected persons and rely on verified information from official public health sources.

Ebola disease is a severe illness caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus.

The Bundibugyo virus is one of the viruses known to cause Ebola disease in humans.

The disease can spread through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or with contaminated materials.

Contact tracing, isolation, infection prevention and control, and prompt identification of suspected cases are key measures for containing outbreaks.

People identified as contacts are monitored for 21 days after their last possible exposure, in line with public health guidance.