The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with 44 contacts identified and placed under public health surveillance.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.
The patient, a woman who recently travelled to Uganda, reportedly returned to Nigeria with symptoms on September 7. Her condition worsened four days later, prompting further medical attention and testing.
She was initially admitted to a private hospital before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.
“She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care,” the government said in a statement.
Pate said contact tracing had commenced, with health authorities identifying 44 people for follow-up to prevent further transmission.
He added that surveillance was being strengthened at Nigeria’s entry points to detect potential cases and contain any spread of the disease.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, FCT Health Secretariat, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners are coordinating the response.
The minister called on healthcare facilities to remain vigilant, particularly when attending to patients with symptoms associated with Ebola and a relevant travel history.
He also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm, maintain good hygiene and cooperate with public health officials.
Symptoms that may require medical attention include fever, weakness, headache and diarrhoea, although these can also occur in other illnesses.
According to reports, Pate assured Nigerians that the situation was being managed and that the government would provide timely and transparent updates.
He said Nigeria was drawing on its experience in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak and its existing public health systems to strengthen preparedness and response.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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