By Desire Uzovhukwu
Nigeria has recorded zero secondary infections following the completion of the 21-day monitoring of 62 contacts linked to its imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease, a form of Ebola, confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory on October 20, 2026.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced that the last contact was discharged from monitoring on November 13, with none of the 62 individuals developing the disease.
The index patient, who was medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further treatment, has also recovered, tested negative for the virus and been discharged from hospital.
However, the NCDC said the development does not constitute a formal declaration that the outbreak is over, warning that Nigeria must sustain heightened surveillance, particularly as Ebola transmission continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, announcing the milestone, said the outcome demonstrated the effectiveness of early detection, prompt investigation and coordinated public health interventions.
“The 21-day monitoring period for contacts linked to the index case has been completed with the last contact discharged today. We are glad to announce that none of the contacts became ill with the disease, meaning no transmission from the index case,” Idris said.
He disclosed that 13 contacts developed fever or other non-specific symptoms during the monitoring period but all tested negative for Bundibugyo Virus Disease.
Similarly, seven alerts reported across Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti states in the past three weeks were investigated, with laboratory results confirming that none was positive.
According to Idris, the index case was detected following an alert raised by healthcare workers through the NCDC’s event-based surveillance system, prompting the immediate activation of the national response.
The National Emergency Operations Centre was activated under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, while an Incident Management System was established to coordinate response activities.
He said the response involved contact tracing across healthcare facilities and households, strengthened infection prevention and control measures, healthcare worker training, laboratory investigations and the provision of personal protective equipment.
Providing further details on the index patient, Idris said laboratory tests conducted after her arrival in Switzerland initially confirmed that she remained positive for the virus.
“Following further treatment and care, we are pleased to report that the patient has recovered, subsequently tested negative for the virus and has been successfully discharged from the hospital in Switzerland,” he said.
Despite the successful completion of contact monitoring, the NCDC said its National Emergency Operations Centre remained activated, with the Incident Management System operating at Level 3, the highest response level for Ebola disease.
The agency said it would continue investigating alerts, strengthening infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities and working with Port Health Services to sustain surveillance at international points of entry.
Idris warned that the approaching December festive season, with increased human movement and public gatherings, required greater vigilance from Nigerians and international visitors.
He listed religious gatherings, political campaigns, concerts, festivals and sporting activities among events that could attract large crowds, urging organisers to provide adequate sanitation, safe drinking water and medical assistance.
The NCDC advised Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly when unwell and disclose their travel history or possible exposure to healthcare workers.
“Do not assume that every fever is malaria, particularly if you have recently travelled or may have been exposed to an infectious disease,” Idris cautioned.
He also urged Nigerians to avoid unprotected contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola or any infectious disease.
Healthcare workers in public and private facilities were advised to maintain a high index of suspicion, observe appropriate infection prevention precautions and report suspected cases without delay.
The agency further reminded inbound international travellers to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form before arrival and provide accurate information about their health and travel history.
“There is no reason for panic. What is required is continued vigilance, early reporting and cooperation with public health authorities,” Idris said.
He commended the FCT health authorities, the private hospital where the index patient initially received care, Port Health Services, government institutions and national and international partners for their contributions.
He particularly praised the private hospital’s healthcare workers, whose vigilance triggered the initial alert, describing their actions as evidence of the critical role of private health facilities in disease surveillance and outbreak response.
The NCDC boss also thanked the identified contacts and their families for cooperating with monitoring and quarantine measures, noting that their commitment contributed significantly to preventing further transmission.
He said lessons from the response would inform improvements in disease surveillance, clinical preparedness, infection prevention and control, and coordination between national and state health authorities.
