No New Ebola Case In Nigeria, 28 Contacts Still Under Watch – NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it has recorded no new Ebola case since confirming the first imported infection on October 20, 2026, but 28 people exposed to the patient are still being monitored.

The agency said 34 of the 62 contacts identified in connection with the case had completed their individual 21-day monitoring period as of November 9, while the remaining 28 were still under follow-up.

The NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, gave the update on Tuesday, three weeks after the country confirmed an imported case of Bundibugyo Virus Disease in a traveller from Uganda.

He said the agency was sustaining contact tracing, investigation of reported alerts, laboratory testing and surveillance at points of entry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCT Administration, state authorities and development partners.

Idris cautioned against interpreting the 21 days since the first case was confirmed as the monitoring period for all identified contacts, explaining that each person has a separate 21-day follow-up period.

He also stressed that being identified as a contact does not mean that a person has contracted Ebola. The monitoring is intended to ensure that anyone who develops symptoms is identified early and receives an appropriate response.

The NCDC urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain vigilant, establish patients’ travel and exposure histories, observe infection prevention measures and promptly report suspected cases to public health authorities.

It advised anyone who develops symptoms after possible exposure to Ebola to avoid contact with others and call its toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before travelling to a health facility.

Beyond the Ebola response, the agency raised concerns over other infectious diseases, including dengue fever, chikungunya, diphtheria, cerebrospinal meningitis and Lassa fever.

It confirmed dengue fever cases in Sokoto and Zamfara states, as well as chikungunya in Sokoto State.

To support the affected states, the NCDC said it had deployed national rapid response teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre in Enugu. The teams are assisting with case identification, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.

Idris warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever is malaria, noting that dengue and chikungunya could also cause fever, headaches, body pains and joint pains.

He said severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding and difficulty breathing could be warning signs of serious dengue complications and require urgent medical attention.

The agency also called on states in the meningitis belt to strengthen surveillance, diagnostic services, clinical preparedness and vaccination responses as the dry season advances.

On diphtheria, the NCDC said the disease remained a serious concern, particularly among children who had missed routine immunisation. It urged parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccination status and seek guidance on missed doses.