Nigeria Confirms Ebola Case in Abuja, Begins Contact Tracing

Nigerian authorities are monitoring 44 people who came into contact with a suspected Ebola patient in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, the health ministry disclosed on Tuesday.

The patient, a woman who recently arrived from Uganda on an international flight, was admitted to a private hospital in the capital where she received treatment for several days before laboratory tests confirmed the infection, according to a statement by Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate.

She is said to be in isolation and receiving medical care.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and partner agencies have launched a joint response, Pate said.

Public health teams are tracking healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and fellow travellers who may have been exposed, while surveillance has been heightened and the treating hospital supported to tighten infection prevention measures.

Pate called on those contacted during the exercise, including airline passengers, to cooperate with health officials.

He urged public and private hospitals nationwide to remain alert and report suspected cases without delay, advising health workers to isolate suspected patients promptly and maintain strict infection controls.

The government appealed for calm, urging Nigerians to practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having the virus.

Symptoms include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Anyone who suspects exposure should contact health authorities immediately, even without symptoms, Pate said, adding that those who develop symptoms should avoid close contact with others and seek guidance before visiting a health facility.

He warned against rumour-mongering and stigmatising people who may have been exposed, urging the public to rely on verified information from official sources.

The NCDC’s toll-free line, 6232, is available around the clock for information and reports of suspected cases, the statement said.