The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed ongoing bilateral collaboration with public health authorities in Uganda to trace the source of exposure and prevent the potential spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The announcement follows the confirmation of an Ebola case involving a woman who recently arrived in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
​Addressing journalists on Wednesday afternoon, October 21, 2026, outside the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, reassured citizens that Nigeria’s public health apparatus is equipped to manage the situation.
​The Minister revealed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has already activated its national Incident Management System and initiated intensive contact tracing efforts.
​”All I can tell you is that we are collaborating with our sister African nation, Uganda,” Prof. Pate stated. “What is important is that we have found this one case. We are doing contact tracing, and we are putting containment measures in place to ensure that it does not enter our population. We did it in 2014, and we have good public health institutions.”
​He urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified rumors and to rely strictly on official channels for updates.
​The preliminary findings indicate that the infected patient had recently traveled through Uganda. However, Ugandan health officials issued a clarification stating that travel through the country does not immediately establish local transmission, noting that Uganda currently has no active, confirmed Ebola outbreaks.
​Joint epidemiological investigations are underway to pinpoint the exact location and timeline of the patient’s exposure.
​Later on Wednesday evening, October 21, 2026, during a plenary session at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the House of Representatives deliberated on an urgent public motion regarding national health security.
​Lawmakers resolved to urged the Federal Executive to urgently disburse all outstanding appropriated funds to the NCDC and port health agencies to scale up surveillance at international gateways.
Directed early preparation of specialised isolation camps across major entry hubs and states to ensure rapid containment of suspected cases.
Directed the House Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and port authorities to monitor national readiness.
​Health authorities advise anyone who has had direct contact with recent international travelers or who exhibits symptoms, such as sudden fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, to report immediately to public health personnel.
