Nigerian health officials have confirmed an imported case of the Ebola virus in Abuja on Tuesday. The patient is a woman who recently arrived on an international flight from Uganda. She first developed symptoms on Oct. 7.
The patient initially sought treatment at Nizamiye Hospital, a private facility outside the city center, before laboratory testing confirmed the infection. She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care. Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, stated that the patient is in stable condition.
Health authorities have identified 44 close contacts for active monitoring. This group includes healthcare workers, caregivers, and travel companions who may have been exposed. The government directed all medical facilities to raise their suspicion thresholds and strengthen infection prevention protocols.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Presidential Taskforce on Ebola Virus Disease are managing the response. Pate urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, noting that there is no need for panic. He stated that Nigeria’s public health infrastructure is equipped to contain the spread.
Nigeria successfully contained a previous Ebola outbreak in 2014. That outbreak resulted in 20 confirmed cases and eight deaths before the country was declared Ebola-free. The NCDC advises the public to report suspected cases to its toll-free line at 6232.
