A fresh twist has emerged in Nigeria’s Ebola scare, with Uganda questioning whether an infected Nigerian woman contracted the deadly virus in its territory after travelling through the country from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The development comes as Nigeria’s Federal Government races to contain the infection, with 44 people identified for monitoring following confirmation of the imported Ebola case in Abuja.
Ugandan authorities have indicated that the woman may have been exposed to the virus in the DRC before passing through Uganda on her journey to Nigeria.
However, the precise location where she contracted the infection remains under investigation.
The clarification has added a new dimension to the regional health emergency, which has spread across parts of Africa and triggered calls for urgent international assistance.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed the infection on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Pate disclosed that the patient, a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda, began experiencing symptoms on October 7.
She sought medical attention at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11, but her condition subsequently deteriorated, prompting further investigations.
Laboratory tests eventually confirmed that she had Ebola virus disease on October 20.
“The patient is a woman who had travelled to Eastern Africa, to Uganda in particular. She came back, had symptoms that commenced on the 7th of October.
“On the 11th, she attended a private facility where she was being taken care of. Her symptoms progressed, and further tests indicated that she had Ebola virus disease,” the minister said.
The patient has been isolated and is receiving medical care as health officials intensify efforts to prevent further transmission.
44 CONTACTS UNDER WATCH
Pate said 44 contacts had been identified as part of the ongoing contact-tracing exercise.
Those being monitored include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who may have travelled with the infected woman or come into contact with her.
The minister appealed to anyone contacted by public health officials to provide accurate information and comply with all instructions.
“Anyone contacted during the contact tracing period that we are in, including those who may have travelled with that individual, should provide necessary information requested and follow public health advice,” he said.
There has been no confirmation that any of the 44 contacts has tested positive for Ebola.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), FCT health authorities, World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) are collaborating to contain the infection.
The private hospital where the patient was initially treated is also receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Health facilities nationwide have been urged to remain on high alert, promptly isolate suspected cases and report them to the appropriate authorities.
AFRICA CDC RAISES ALARM
Nigeria’s confirmed case comes amid a wider Ebola emergency, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo battling a major outbreak and Kenya also reporting infections.
Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, has called for urgent international support to stop the outbreak from spreading further.
In a statement titled “Ebola in Nigeria: An Urgent Call for Global Solidarity,” Kaseya disclosed that he had spoken with Pate about the Nigerian case and commended him for promptly sharing the information.
He recalled that Africa CDC had warned about the regional implications of the outbreak when it was declared on May 15, 2026.
According to him, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has spread across several countries and regions, creating a serious challenge for public health authorities.
Kaseya expressed particular concern about the situation in the DRC, where the fatality rate has approached 50 per cent.
He said Africa CDC was mobilising support for Nigeria while intensifying its response in the DRC and Kenya and maintaining heightened vigilance in Uganda.
“My appeal to the international community is urgent: Act Now,” he said.
The Africa CDC chief called for immediate and flexible funding, medical supplies, diagnostic capacity, trained emergency responders and stronger community-based surveillance.
He warned that delays in providing support could cost lives and urged governments, international health agencies and development partners to coordinate their efforts.
“Africa’s health security is global health security. Stopping Ebola in Africa today means protecting the world. Nigeria has our full solidarity. Together, we must defeat this outbreak,” he said.
FG RECALLS 2014 EBOLA BATTLE
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, saying the country has the public health expertise and response systems needed to manage the infection.
Pate recalled Nigeria’s successful containment of an Ebola outbreak in 2014, after the virus was introduced into Lagos by an infected traveller.
He also disclosed that a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease had been constituted in May 2026 as part of the government’s preparedness efforts.
The minister advised Nigerians against spreading unverified information and urged the public to cooperate with contact-tracing teams.
Members of the public seeking information or wishing to report suspected cases can contact the NCDC’s toll-free line on 6232, which the minister said operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WHAT NIGERIANS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EBOLA
Ebola virus disease is a severe illness that can cause death. The current regional outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola virus that has caused previous outbreaks in Central and East Africa.
The disease spreads mainly through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, or the body of someone who has died from the infection.
Transmission can also occur through contaminated bedding, clothing, medical equipment and other materials. Contact with infected animals can also expose humans to the virus.
Symptoms usually appear between two and 21 days after exposure. They include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Some patients may experience bleeding, although it does not occur in every case.
Early symptoms can resemble malaria and other common illnesses, making prompt medical assessment and laboratory testing important.
People who develop symptoms after possible exposure should immediately contact public health authorities, disclose their travel and contact history, and follow official instructions.
Ebola is not generally transmitted before symptoms develop. Early detection, isolation, contact tracing and strict infection-control measures are therefore crucial to preventing further spread.
The Federal Government said investigations and contact tracing were continuing as health authorities worked to contain the infection and prevent additional cases.
