The Federal Government has activated emergency response measures to contain the spread of the Ebola virus following the confirmation of an imported case in Nigeria, assuring citizens that the country has the capacity to manage the situation.
The government urged Nigerians to remain calm, cooperate with health authorities and avoid spreading unverified information capable of causing unnecessary panic.
Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats, Femi Gbajabiamila, gave the assurance after an emergency meeting of the task force at the State House in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Gbajabiamila said the infected traveller, a woman who arrived in Abuja without showing symptoms, developed signs of the disease four days after her arrival.
He said established surveillance and screening protocols enabled health authorities to identify the infection.
Gbajabiamila noted that approximately 44,000 flights had operated into and out of Nigeria since June, adding that health and border control agencies had maintained surveillance to identify potential public health threats.
He said the detection of the case demonstrated the importance of preventive measures introduced following the inauguration of the task force in June.
The presidential aide said the government would review existing containment measures, strengthen areas requiring improvement and ensure strict compliance with established health protocols.
He added that containing the disease required cooperation between government institutions and the public, warning that panic and failure to follow health directives could undermine ongoing efforts.
“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) is on top of it; everyone is on deck. We must build community trust and avoid panic, but it’s also important to state clearly that this is a collaborative effort between the government and the people,” he said.
FG Begins Contact Tracing, Activates Hospitals
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the Federal Government was working with Uganda and international health partners to contain the outbreak.
Pate expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to manage the situation, citing the country’s experience in containing the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the expertise of its public health institutions.
He said contact tracing had commenced, with individuals who might have been exposed to the infected traveller identified for monitoring and isolation where necessary.
According to the minister, the government had activated its incident management system across relevant response areas, working alongside the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the NCDC.
Pate added that hospitals and other medical facilities had been placed on alert to respond to suspected cases, while additional resources were being mobilised to strengthen preparedness across the states.
He urged Nigerians to avoid spreading rumours and misinformation, warning that false reports could create unnecessary fear and complicate the response.
Patient Reportedly Develops Multiple Organ Failure
The infected woman, described in reports as a diplomat with a recent travel history to East Africa, was confirmed positive on Tuesday and placed in isolation at a private health facility in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to information attributed to health officials, three rounds of molecular testing confirmed that the infection was caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
The reports also indicated that the patient developed multiple organ failure. However, Pate subsequently said she was stable at the time of his remarks, while cautioning that her condition could change.
The World Health Organisation reportedly stated that her symptoms began on October 7 and that she sought medical attention on October 11.
Health authorities had identified 44 contacts for monitoring as investigations continued to establish the source of infection and determine whether additional people had been exposed.
Keyamo Orders 46 Contacts Placed on No-Fly List
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed aviation authorities to place 46 people linked to the case on a no-fly list for at least 21 days.
The group reportedly comprises 44 individuals who came into contact with the patient at the hospital after she developed symptoms and two members of her domestic staff.
In a statement posted on X, Keyamo said the directive followed a virtual meeting with Pate on the outbreak.
He instructed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to notify local and international airlines of the restriction, while directing the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to intensify surveillance and Ebola response measures at international airports.
Existing airport protocols include health screening, temperature checks, travel history assessments and digital health declarations, alongside coordination with the NCDC.
National Assembly Demands Emergency Funding
The National Assembly has called for urgent funding and strengthened surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Senate urged the Federal Government to release emergency funds through the Service-Wide Vote to support screening, surveillance and containment efforts, warning against delays pending the 2027 budget.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Francis Ade Faduyile, representing Ondo South, who proposed mandatory health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom screening for international arrivals.
He also advocated enhanced screening for travellers who had visited or transited through affected areas within 21 days, alongside the provision of protective equipment, thermal scanners, trained port health officers and isolation facilities.
Senator Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central, urged the government to equip the NCDC and Port Health Services without waiting for the next budget cycle.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also expressed concern over reported screening gaps at the country’s entry points, stressing that surveillance should cover all international arrivals, including passengers who might have transited through countries not directly affected by the outbreak.
The Senate further urged its Committee on Judiciary to engage relevant health authorities on possible amendments to the Quarantine Act of 1926.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives called for the mobilisation of federal, state and private health agencies, as well as the release of outstanding appropriated funds to relevant institutions.
It also mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to obtain updates on the outbreak and assess Nigeria’s preparedness for further legislative action.
WHO, Africa CDC Call for Vigilance
The World Health Organisation said it was supporting Nigerian health authorities with case investigations, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and the provision of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers.
The organisation advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on affected countries, while urging regional governments to strengthen surveillance, maintain laboratory readiness and ensure rapid-response and clinical teams were prepared for immediate deployment.
The Africa CDC also called for greater international cooperation to contain the expanding Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
The Federal Government has maintained that Nigeria’s public health institutions and emergency response systems are being mobilised to contain the infection and prevent further transmission.
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