Nigeria has recorded no secondary transmission of Bundibugyo Virus Disease, a form of Ebola disease, following the completion of a 21-day monitoring period for 62 contacts linked to the country’s index case.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, November 13, saying the last contact had been discharged after completing the monitoring period.
Nigeria confirmed an imported case of the disease in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on October 20, 2026, prompting the activation of a national emergency response and the commencement of contact tracing.
Idris said a total of 62 contacts were identified, quarantined and monitored by public health teams across healthcare facilities, households and other relevant settings.
He explained that 13 of the contacts reported fever and other non-specific symptoms during the monitoring period and were tested for the disease, but all returned negative results.
The NCDC chief also disclosed that seven suspected cases reported in Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti States within the past three weeks were investigated, with all seven testing negative for Bundibugyo Virus Disease.
He, however, cautioned that the completion of contact monitoring did not automatically mean the outbreak was over, noting that such a declaration must be based on established public health criteria and ongoing surveillance findings.
Providing an update on the index patient, Idris said the patient received clinical care in Nigeria before being medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further treatment.
He disclosed that laboratory tests conducted upon her arrival in Switzerland confirmed that she was still positive for the virus at the time. However, following further treatment and care, she recovered, subsequently tested negative and was discharged from the hospital.
According to Idris, the national response was activated after healthcare workers raised an alert through the NCDC’s event-based surveillance system, enabling prompt investigation in collaboration with FCT health authorities and other relevant institutions.
He said 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 the response.
He added that the response included contact tracing, clinical care, laboratory investigations, infection prevention and control measures, healthcare worker training and the provision of personal protective equipment and other response supplies.
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The agency also intensified public communication and community engagement to address concerns and counter misinformation capable of creating unnecessary fear, undermining public trust and discouraging cooperation with health officials.
Idris said Nigeria would nevertheless maintain heightened surveillance, particularly because of the continued occurrence of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He noted that the National Emergency Operations Centre remained activated, with the Incident Management System operating at Level 3, the highest response level for Ebola virus disease.
He said the NCDC would continue investigating reported alerts, strengthening infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities and working with Port Health Services to maintain appropriate public health measures at international points of entry.
The Director-General also urged State Ministries of Health and healthcare facilities to sustain preparedness by strengthening their capacity to recognise suspected cases, report alerts promptly, conduct laboratory testing and ensure safe referrals.
With increased movement of people expected during the December festive season, Idris advised Nigerians and international visitors to seek medical attention early whenever they become unwell.
He cautioned against assuming that every fever was malaria, particularly among people who had recently travelled or might have been exposed to an infectious disease. He urged patients to disclose their travel history and possible exposure to healthcare workers to support early detection and appropriate treatment.
He also advised the public to avoid unprotected contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola or other infectious diseases, while urging identified contacts to cooperate fully with public health authorities.
Idris further called on organisers of religious gatherings, political rallies, concerts, festivals and sporting events to make adequate arrangements for sanitation, safe drinking water, medical assistance and prompt reporting of suspected illnesses.
He urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to maintain a high level of suspicion, observe appropriate infection prevention measures and report suspected cases without delay.
The NCDC also reminded inbound international travellers of the requirement to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form before arrival and provide accurate information about their health and travel history.
Despite the encouraging outcome, Idris said Nigeria remained vigilant and committed to strengthening its surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent further transmission.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the FCT response team, healthcare workers, Port Health Services and other partners for their contributions.
He also acknowledged the cooperation of the identified contacts and their families, describing their willingness to comply with public health measures as essential to the successful completion of the monitoring exercise.
NCDC
