Fresh details emerged yesterday regarding the travel itinerary of the female diplomat confirmed as Nigeria’s index Ebola virus case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Authorities revealed that the patient arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Uganda on October 3, 2026.
​The confirmation of the imported case has triggered an emergency public health response led by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the FCT Health Services Secretariat.
​Following her arrival in Abuja earlier this month, the patient reportedly felt unwell and was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before molecular testing confirmed the infection.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during an emergency Incident Management Meeting at the NCDC headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Olajumoke Babatunde, Director of Public Health Laboratory Services at the NCDC, confirmed that tests revealed the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Officials disclosed that the diplomat’s condition has severely deteriorated, and she is currently experiencing multi-organ failure while in isolation receiving specialized medical care.
​Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed that public health teams have initiated extensive contact tracing.
​”Contact tracing has commenced, with 44 close contacts identified presently. Public health teams are actively identifying and monitoring individuals who may have been exposed, including healthcare workers, private hospital patients, caregivers, and travel contacts.” Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate stated.
​Authorities are also collaborating with aviation officials and Ethiopian Airlines to track passengers who boarded the same flight on October 3 to prevent potential community transmission. Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo has directed airlines to enforce strict passenger screening protocols.
​Public health officials have urged residents across the FCT and neighboring states to remain calm, avoid unverified rumors, and maintain high standards of hand hygiene. Authorities emphasized that contact tracing and isolation measures are robustly underway to ensure the outbreak remains strictly contained.
