The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has projected November 13, 2026, as the date for completing the monitoring of all 62 contacts identified following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Nigeria.
The agency disclosed this in its latest Ebola Disease Situation Report, stating that the contacts were expected to complete their 21-day follow-up periods between October 31 and November 13.
The NCDC said contact tracing and monitoring remained ongoing, with additional contact tracers mapped and trained to strengthen surveillance. It also planned to assess more contacts for possible transfer to quarantine facilities and continue monitoring those already in quarantine.
According to the report, the agency had reviewed its contact-tracing strategy and expanded the scope for identifying people who might have been exposed to the virus. It had also revised Ebola case definitions to improve the identification and management of suspected infections.
The agency said it was developing an Ebola disease dashboard on the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS) to improve contact management. It also planned to review guidelines covering contact tracing, self-quarantine, self-care kits and Ebola emergency call procedures.
On laboratory investigations, the NCDC reported that 18 samples had been tested since the outbreak was confirmed. One sample, belonging to the index patient, returned positive, while 17 others tested negative. The negative results comprised 15 samples from the confirmed patient’s contacts and two from suspected cases.
The agency said laboratory confirmation was obtained on October 20, while phylogenetic sequencing was completed by the NCDC National Reference Laboratory and the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.
It added that measures were underway to maintain uninterrupted Ebola testing at the National Reference Laboratory and expand diagnostic capacity to Lagos. Additional laboratory reagents and supplies were also expected to be positioned across the national laboratory network.
The NCDC further disclosed that it had engaged the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital on its readiness to serve as an isolation and treatment centre. A needs assessment and facility optimisation exercise had been completed, while a dedicated ambulance had been secured for the safe referral of patients.
The agency also reported ongoing infection prevention and control assessments across states and health facilities, alongside sensitisation of healthcare workers on appropriate protective measures.
Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola in the current outbreak on October 20, 2026, after laboratory tests detected the Bundibugyo virus in a woman who travelled to the country from Uganda.
The World Health Organisation said the patient developed symptoms on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria, and sought medical attention at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11.
The patient was evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further medical care, alongside her husband, who was identified as a close contact.
Meanwhile, two suspected cases reported in Yola, Adamawa State, were ruled out after two rounds of laboratory testing. NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, said the individuals were isolated and their samples tested negative for Ebola.
Idris clarified that there was no laboratory-confirmed case in Adamawa, adding that the imported infection in the Federal Capital Territory remained Nigeria’s only confirmed case.
States strengthen preparedness
As part of efforts to prevent further spread, the Kaduna State Government said it had activated its infectious disease hospital in Mando and strengthened surveillance across health facilities.
The state’s Director of Public Health, Dr Sadique Abubakar, said a readiness assessment had been completed to identify gaps and improve the state’s response capacity.
He added that isolation facilities had been prepared, while drugs, medical supplies and personal protective equipment had been provided to the infectious disease hospital and selected secondary healthcare facilities.
Abubakar also said the government had intensified public sensitisation through radio and television programmes, as well as community engagement activities. He noted that no contacts linked to the confirmed case had been identified in Kaduna State.
In Kano, the State Centre for Disease Control said it had strengthened surveillance at border points and motor parks.
In an advisory issued on October 31, the agency directed health personnel to screen travellers for symptoms including fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding. Screening teams were also instructed to obtain travel histories covering the preceding 21 days.
The Kano agency directed that anyone suspected of having Ebola should be isolated in a designated area, while relevant local government surveillance officers and the State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre should be notified immediately.
It also instructed surveillance teams to provide handwashing facilities, soap and chlorine solutions at border points and motor parks, and ensure the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
The agency called for collaboration with traditional rulers, motor park leaders and the National Union of Road Transport Workers to support surveillance and prompt reporting of suspected cases.
It also warned against stigmatising travellers from the North-East or any other part of the country, urging health personnel to carry out screening professionally and respectfully.
