Nigeria confirms its first Ebola case in the current outbreak
A woman who arrived in Abuja from Uganda tested positive for Bundibugyo virus on 20 October. Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus since the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began in May.
Known
- Nigeria confirmed one imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (WHO Regional Office for Africa, 20 October 2026). - The patient is a woman with recent travel to Uganda. Her symptoms began on 7 October, four days after she arrived in Nigeria. She sought care at a private facility in Abuja on 11 October. - A laboratory test confirmed Bundibugyo virus on 20 October. She is in isolation and receiving care. - 44 contacts have been identified and are being monitored. - Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus since the DRC declared the outbreak on 15 May 2026. Kenya has reported nine cases linked to an imported case. - WHO advises against restricting travel to, or trade with, affected countries.
Not known yet
- Where she was infected. Investigators are still rebuilding her travel and exposure history. - Whether any of the 44 contacts is infected. - Whether there are other cases in Nigeria.
Nigeria has confirmed its first case of Ebola in the outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May.
The patient, a woman with recent travel to Uganda, arrived in Nigeria on 3 October. Her symptoms began four days later. On 11 October she went to a private health facility in Abuja. A laboratory test on 20 October confirmed Bundibugyo virus, one of the species that causes Ebola disease.
What the health authorities have done
- The patient is in isolation and receiving medical care.
- 44 contacts have been identified and are being monitored.
- Infection prevention and control is being stepped up at the facility where she sought care.
- The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system.
The wider outbreak
Nigeria is the fifth country to detect the virus since the DRC declared the outbreak on 15 May 2026. Kenya has reported nine cases linked to an imported case in recent weeks.
WHO says countries in the region should keep surveillance, laboratories and response teams ready. It advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, affected countries.