By Wasila Yakubu
Nigeria has recorded progress in containing its imported Ebola case, with 34 of the 62 people identified as contacts completing the required 21-day monitoring period, while health authorities continue to track the remaining 28.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) disclosed that no additional confirmed infections had been recorded as of November 9, 2026, leaving the country with one confirmed imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease.
The agency’s Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, provided the update in a national health security report released on Tuesday, noting that surveillance and other containment activities remained active across the country.
He explained that the 62 individuals were identified through contact-tracing efforts linked to the imported case. While 34 had completed their individual monitoring periods, the other 28 were still being observed by health officials.
Idris stressed that being listed as a contact did not mean that an individual had contracted Ebola. He explained that the 21-day observation period was a precautionary measure intended to identify possible symptoms early and ensure prompt medical attention where necessary.
He also warned against interpreting the monitoring period as the total number of days since the index case was confirmed, explaining that each contact has an individual follow-up timeline.
The NCDC said Nigeria's response involved coordinated action by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, state governments and development partners.
Measures being maintained include tracing people who may have been exposed, investigating suspected cases, laboratory testing, infection prevention, safe clinical management and increased screening and surveillance at the country's entry points.
The agency had earlier projected that monitoring of all 62 contacts would be completed by November 13, with individual follow-up periods expected to end between October 31 and November 13.
The Federal Government announced the imported Ebola infection in October after a woman who had travelled to Nigeria from Uganda developed symptoms and was admitted to a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, initially disclosed that 44 close contacts had been identified for tracing as authorities worked to prevent further transmission.
The patient was later evacuated to Switzerland for specialised medical treatment.
On October 31, the NCDC also reported identifying two suspected Ebola cases in the North-East, prompting additional investigations and surveillance.
Despite the absence of further confirmed infections, the agency said it would continue monitoring alerts and maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure that any suspected case is detected and investigated without delay.
Wasila Yakubu
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