Ebola Disease in Nigeria: Public Health Advisory for PHI Staff

Advisory date: 23 October 2026 | Audience: All Pro-Health International staff, Nigeria | Status: Staff awareness and prevention advisory.

Summary

Nigeria has confirmed one imported case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Laboratory confirmation was reported on 20 October 2026. The patient is a woman with recent international travel history involving Uganda and is in isolation receiving medical care. Public health authorities have commenced contact tracing, surveillance and infection-prevention measures. Forty-four close contacts were initially identified for monitoring.

PHI staff are advised to remain calm, alert and compliant with official public health guidance. Ebola is transmitted mainly through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola, contaminated materials, or infected animals. Symptoms can appear 2-21 days after exposure. A person is not considered contagious until symptoms develop.

Background

The ongoing regional Ebola outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus. The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed the outbreak on 15 May 2026, while Kenya confirmed an imported case on 6 October 2026.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory on 20 October 2026. The patient had a recent travel history involving Uganda and was placed in isolation, while contact tracing and other public health response measures were initiated.

The confirmation of a case in Nigeria highlights the need for heightened vigilance, early reporting of symptoms and strict adherence to recommended preventive measures.

Recommendations for PHI staff

All PHI staff are advised to observe the following preventive measures:

• Practice regular hand hygiene with soap and clean water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is ill with symptoms suggestive of Ebola.
• Avoid direct contact with blood, vomit, stool, saliva, urine, semen or other body fluids of a sick person.
• Avoid touching clothing, bedding, surfaces or materials that may be contaminated with body fluids.
• Do not touch the body of anyone who has died from suspected or confirmed Ebola, and avoid funeral or burial practices involving direct contact with the body.
• Avoid contact with sick or dead wild animals, particularly bats and non-human primates, and avoid handling or consuming animals found dead or visibly ill.
• When in an Ebola-affected area, avoid non-essential visits to healthcare facilities and traditional healers.
• Staff who have travelled to or been present in an Ebola-affected area should monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the area.
• Any staff member who develops fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or unexplained bleeding following possible exposure or travel to an affected area should immediately separate from others, avoid travel or public transport, and seek guidance from appropriate health authorities before visiting a health facility.
• Promptly report any suspected exposure and cooperate fully with public health monitoring or contact-tracing activities.
• Obtain and share information only from verified sources, including NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Africa CDC. Do not circulate rumours or unverified information.
• Avoid stigmatizing suspected or confirmed cases, survivors, healthcare workers or affected families.
• Follow PHI’s internal reporting and occupational health procedures, where applicable, in addition to official public health guidance.

NCDC contact: For official information or to report a suspected case, call the NCDC toll-free line: 6232.