The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says the monitoring of 62 contacts linked to the country’s confirmed imported Ebola case is expected to be completed by November 13, 2026.
The agency disclosed this in its latest Ebola Disease Situation Report, noting that the identified contacts were scheduled to conclude their monitoring at different times between October 31 and November 13.
It said contact tracing and surveillance activities were ongoing, with additional contact tracers identified and trained to strengthen the response.
According to the report, the agency was also considering additional contacts for possible evacuation to quarantine facilities while maintaining follow-up on those already in isolation.
The NCDC said it had reviewed and expanded its contact identification strategy and updated the case definition for Ebola to improve the detection and management of suspected infections.
On laboratory investigations, the agency disclosed that 18 samples had been tested since the outbreak was confirmed, with one returning positive and 17 testing negative.
It explained that the positive result came from the index patient, while the negative samples comprised 15 collected from her contacts and two from suspected cases.
The report stated that laboratory confirmation was obtained on October 20, adding that genomic sequencing had been completed by the NCDC National Reference Laboratory in collaboration with the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.
The agency said it would sustain Ebola testing at the National Reference Laboratory and expand diagnostic capacity to Lagos.
On case management, the NCDC disclosed that it had assessed the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital for possible use as an isolation and treatment centre.
It added that a dedicated ambulance had been secured and placed on standby for the safe transportation of suspected patients.
The agency also said it was strengthening infection prevention and control measures through healthcare workers’ sensitisation, facility assessments and the provision of protective equipment.
Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in the current outbreak on October 20, following the detection of the Bundibugyo virus in a woman who travelled from Uganda.
The patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further medical attention, alongside her husband, who was identified as a close contact.
Meanwhile, the NCDC has ruled out two suspected Ebola cases reported in Adamawa State after laboratory investigations returned negative results.
The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, said the state’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre received information about two individuals presenting symptoms consistent with Ebola in the early hours of October 30.
He said the individuals were immediately isolated and their samples collected for investigation.
Idris stated, “Fortunately, the samples turned out negative for EBV after two rounds of testing.”
He clarified that there was no laboratory-confirmed Ebola infection in Adamawa State, stressing that the case in the Federal Capital Territory remained Nigeria’s only confirmed infection.
Kaduna, Kano strengthen preparedness
In a related development, the Kaduna State Government says it has activated its infectious disease hospital in Mando and intensified surveillance across health facilities to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The Director of Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this in an interview, saying the government had also strengthened public awareness campaigns and equipped selected hospitals with essential medical supplies.
He explained that the state had completed a preparedness assessment to identify gaps and improve its capacity to respond to any suspected outbreak.
“We have been doing a lot to ensure that we are ready. One of the things we have been intensifying is public sensitisation through various media, including radio and television programmes,” Abubakar said.
He added that rapid response teams and emergency structures had been activated, while isolation facilities, drugs, medical commodities and personal protective equipment had been made available.
Abubakar further disclosed that there were no identified Ebola contacts in Kaduna State.
Similarly, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control has strengthened surveillance at border communities and motor parks as part of efforts to prevent the possible spread of the virus.
In an advisory issued on October 31, the centre said it had activated its emergency operations centre and directed health personnel to intensify the screening of travellers.
The agency said travellers would be assessed for symptoms such as fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding, alongside questions about their travel history within the preceding 21 days.
It directed that individuals suspected of having Ebola should be isolated in designated areas without direct handling, while relevant disease surveillance officers and emergency response officials should be notified immediately.
The KNCDC also instructed surveillance teams to provide handwashing facilities, soap and chlorine solutions at border points and motor parks, while ensuring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
It called for collaboration with traditional rulers, motor park operators and the National Union of Road Transport Workers to strengthen community surveillance and ensure prompt reporting of suspected cases.
The agency also cautioned against stigmatising travellers from the North-East or any other part of the country, urging health workers to conduct screening professionally and respectfully.
