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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries in the region to maintain a high level of preparedness after Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola Virus Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the call on Wednesday following confirmation of the case by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
.@Fmohnigeria reported the first case in Nigeria of #Ebola caused by Bundibugyo virus. The patient is in isolation, since the onset of symptoms and receiving necessary clinical care: https://t.co/O8p4mSLArR
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Contact tracing is ongoing. @WHO and partners are working with the governments of Nigeria, Kenya and the DRC to strengthen the overall outbreak response.
WHO urges all countries in the region to sustain a high level of readiness, which is essential to detect cases early, prevent onward transmission and protect health workers and communities.
https://t.co/GLvEdpsJs2— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 21, 2026
Tedros said contact tracing was ongoing, with the WHO and its partners supporting Nigeria, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo to strengthen their response to the outbreak.
Credit: VoiceOfEmirates.
“Contact tracing is ongoing. WHO and partners are working with the governments of Nigeria, Kenya and the DRC to strengthen the overall outbreak response,” Tedros said.
He urged countries across the region to remain vigilant to ensure early detection, limit transmission and protect healthcare workers and communities.
“WHO urges all countries in the region to sustain a high level of readiness, which is essential to detect cases early, prevent onward transmission and protect health workers and communities,” he said.
The Nigerian Government on Tuesday confirmed that an imported Ebola case had been detected in the Federal Capital Territory after a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda tested positive for the virus.
Health and Social Welfare Minister Ali Pate said the patient had been isolated and was receiving treatment, while health authorities were working to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed.
Pate said 44 contacts had so far been identified for monitoring, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people who may have travelled with the patient.
The government has urged Nigerians to remain calm, rely on verified information and follow public health guidance as surveillance efforts continue.
It also advised the public to maintain good hand hygiene, learn the symptoms of Ebola and contact health authorities if they suspect they have been exposed to the virus.
The government said it was working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other health agencies to strengthen surveillance and protect public health following the confirmation of the case in the FCT.
