The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it has completed the 21-day monitoring period for all 62 contacts linked to the country’s imported Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case, with no secondary transmission recorded.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, saying the last contact had been discharged from monitoring, while none of the identified contacts tested positive for the virus.
Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of Ebola Virus Disease on October 20, 2026, following the detection of the infection in a woman who was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland for further medical treatment.
Idris said 13 of the 62 identified contacts reported fever or other non-specific symptoms during the monitoring period, but all tested negative for the virus.
He added that the agency also investigated seven suspected Ebola alerts reported from Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti states in recent weeks, with all seven testing negative.
Idris, however, cautioned that completing the contact monitoring period does not automatically mean the outbreak has been declared over, noting that such a determination must be based on established public health criteria and World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols.
He said Nigeria would remain vigilant, particularly as Ebola Virus Disease continues to occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Giving an update on the index patient, Idris disclosed that she had recovered following treatment in Switzerland, tested negative for the virus and had been discharged from the hospital.
According to him, the patient received clinical care in Nigeria before being medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26, where laboratory tests initially confirmed that she was still positive for the virus.
He said the successful completion of contact monitoring without secondary transmission demonstrated the importance of early detection, prompt investigation, effective public health interventions and cooperation between health authorities and communities.
Reviewing the country’s response, Idris said the index case was detected following an alert raised by healthcare workers through the NCDC’s event-based surveillance system.
He explained that the alert enabled the agency, working with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) health authorities and other relevant institutions, to promptly initiate investigations and activate the national response.
He said the National Emergency Operations Centre was activated, while an incident management system was established to coordinate the response, focusing on clinical care, contact tracing, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and protection of healthcare workers.
The DG added that public health teams conducted contact tracing across healthcare facilities, households and other relevant settings, while infection prevention and control measures were strengthened in health facilities across the FCT and the country.
He said the agency also provided training for healthcare workers, personal protective equipment and other response supplies, while strengthening surveillance, laboratory investigations and public communication to address misinformation.
Despite the completion of contact monitoring, Idris said the National Emergency Operations Centre remained activated, with the incident management system operating at Level Three, the highest response level for Ebola Virus Disease.
He said surveillance would continue nationwide, alongside preparedness measures at international points of entry and efforts to strengthen the capacity of state ministries of health and healthcare facilities to promptly recognise, report and manage suspected cases.
Idris urged Nigerians and international visitors to remain vigilant, particularly as the country approaches the December festive season, when increased movement of people, religious gatherings, political campaigns, concerts and other public events are expected.
He advised Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly when unwell and avoid assuming that every fever is malaria, particularly where there is a recent travel history or possible exposure to an infectious disease.
He also urged people seeking medical care to disclose their travel history and possible exposure to healthcare workers to support early detection and appropriate management.
Idris further advised Nigerians to avoid unprotected contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola or any infectious disease.
He called on organisers of religious gatherings, political rallies, concerts, festivals and sporting events to make adequate arrangements for sanitation, safe drinking water, medical assistance and prompt reporting of suspected infectious illnesses.
According to him, NCDC has developed public health guidance for mass gatherings to support organisers and participants.
He also reminded inbound international travellers to complete the national health declaration form before arrival in Nigeria and provide accurate information about their health and travel history.
“There is no reason for panic. What is required is continued vigilance, early reporting, and cooperation with the public health authorities,” he said.
Earlier, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the index case was detected following the vigilance of a private health facility that promptly alerted the FCT epidemiological unit after identifying a suspected Ebola case.
She explained that the patient’s travel history informed the decision to investigate the case and collect samples for laboratory testing.
According to her, the FCT rapid response team was immediately deployed to the hospital, while members who had contact with the patient underwent a three-week isolation period.
Fasawe said the team members had completed their isolation and remained well.
She commended the NCDC, Federal Ministry of Health, development partners and the FCT administration for their collaboration in managing the incident.
She particularly urged private hospitals in the FCT to maintain a high index of suspicion and promptly report suspected cases to the relevant public health authorities.
The mandate secretary said private health facilities could also contact the NCDC through its emergency line whenever they suspected an infectious disease outbreak.
“This disease was detected because of a very high index of suspicion and good practices by that private hospital,” she said.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
