The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako, following laboratory confirmation of the case.
According to the statement, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.
She was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.
Pate said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities are working together to contain the infection.
He explained that public health teams have commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor persons who may have been exposed to the virus.
Those being monitored reportedly include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and other persons who may have come in contact with the patient during her travel and while on admission.
The minister added that surveillance has been intensified across the FCT, while the hospital where the patient was treated is receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
He urged all persons contacted during the tracing exercise, including airline passengers who were on the same flight, to cooperate and provide necessary information to health officials.
Pate also called on all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases to public health authorities.
Healthcare workers were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, identify and isolate suspected cases without delay, and strictly observe infection prevention and control protocols.
The Federal Government further urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with body fluids of anyone suspected to have Ebola.
The ministry listed symptoms to watch out for to include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly among persons who may have been exposed to the virus.
Pate advised anyone who suspects exposure to contact public health authorities immediately, even if they have no symptoms.
He also urged anyone who develops symptoms to avoid close contact with others and call public health authorities for guidance before visiting a health facility.
The minister warned against spreading rumours or stigmatising persons who might have been exposed, urging Nigerians to rely only on verified information from official health authorities.
He assured that the Federal Government, FCT authorities and their partners are working to protect healthcare workers, patients and the general public, adding that investigations are ongoing.
The statement said the NCDC toll-free call centre is available 24 hours daily to provide information and receive reports of suspected cases. Members of the public were advised to call 6232 for assistance.
