NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, made this known in an update on Sunday, October 25, 2026, explaining that healthcare workers recognised clinical signs that required further investigation and alerted the appropriate public health authorities.

According to Idris, the alert prompted immediate engagement with health authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), followed by investigations and laboratory tests that confirmed the infection on October 20.

The patient, a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda, is receiving medical care in isolation. The NCDC said her condition had improved, while public health teams continued to investigate her movements and possible exposure history.

The agency has identified 53 contacts linked to the confirmed case, including healthcare workers and people who may have had close contact with the patient. They are being monitored for 21 days after their last possible exposure, in line with public health procedures.

Idris said the national response involves the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, FCT health authorities and other relevant agencies and technical partners. An Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care, laboratory testing, infection prevention and public communication.

He explained that the number of identified contacts could change as investigations progress, urging anyone contacted by public health officials to cooperate and provide accurate information. He stressed that being identified as a contact does not mean a person has contracted Ebola; it means their health needs to be assessed and monitored.

The NCDC has also called on public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to strengthen screening, triage and infection prevention measures. Healthcare workers have been advised to promptly report suspected cases and take appropriate precautions without waiting for laboratory confirmation.

Idris said Nigeria was drawing on lessons from its 2014 Ebola response, particularly the importance of early detection, contact tracing, coordination between agencies and public trust.

He warned that misinformation could undermine containment efforts by spreading fear, discouraging people from seeking medical attention and weakening cooperation with public health teams. Nigerians were urged to rely on official updates from the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare rather than circulating unverified claims.

The agency also advised the public to practise regular hand hygiene, avoid direct contact with the blood and body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola, and promptly report possible exposure to health authorities.

The NCDC said the situation remained under investigation, with the immediate priorities being to monitor contacts, protect healthcare workers, provide appropriate treatment and prevent further transmission.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia