The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare officially announced on October 20, 2026, that one imported case of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus has been confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, Nigeria.
Woman Traveling from Uganda Confirmed Positive; 44 Contacts Under Active Surveillance
According to Nigerian health authorities, the confirmed case is a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda. The patient entered Nigeria on October 3, 2026, began experiencing symptoms four days later on October 7, and sought medical treatment at a private facility in Abuja on October 11.
Subsequent laboratory testing on October 20 confirmed the infection with the Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The patient is currently receiving specialized care in an isolation facility, while health authorities continue epidemiological investigations to identify the source of infection and trace the patient’s precise movements.
The Nigerian Ministry of Health has identified 44 individuals who had contact with the patient and is currently conducting intensive tracing and monitoring. Furthermore, infection prevention and control (IPC) measures have been strengthened, particularly at the private medical facility the patient visited, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has immediately activated an incident management system to oversee the field response.
Fifth Country Affected Since DRC Outbreak; WHO Provides Field Support
With this confirmation, Nigeria becomes the fifth country to report an infection following the official declaration of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 15, 2026. Previously, Kenya also reported nine cases linked to imported travel.
The WHO stated it is working closely with Nigerian authorities to bolster response measures, including case investigation, contact tracing, and the provision of essential medical supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE). While urging neighboring countries to enhance early detection and cross-border monitoring, the WHO advised against any travel or trade restrictions related to this event.
Official Sources and Information
This article is based on a single official press release published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa on October 20, 2026.
- WHO Regional Office for Africa Press Release: https://www.afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/news/nigeria-confirms-imported-case-ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease