Nigeria has recorded no additional confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease, 21 days after detecting an imported case of the Bundibugyo virus in a traveller from Uganda.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, noting that only one imported case had been confirmed in the country as of November 9, 2026.
The agency said 28 people identified as contacts of the confirmed case remained under monitoring, while 34 others had completed their individual 21-day follow-up.
It clarified that the 21 days since the confirmation of the index case should not be confused with the individual monitoring period for each contact.
According to the NCDC, being identified as a contact does not automatically mean that an individual has contracted the virus, as the monitoring process is designed to identify symptoms early and ensure prompt medical intervention.
The agency said surveillance and investigations of reported alerts were ongoing across the country to prevent further transmission.
It urged healthcare workers in public and private facilities to remain vigilant, obtain patients’ travel histories and possible exposure details, and promptly notify public health authorities whenever Ebola is suspected.
The NCDC also advised anyone experiencing symptoms after possible exposure to avoid contact with others and call its toll-free line, 6232, for guidance before visiting a health facility.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person, as well as contaminated materials.
Beyond the Ebola situation, the agency raised concerns over other infectious diseases affecting parts of the country, including dengue fever, chikungunya and diphtheria.
It disclosed that dengue fever had been confirmed in Sokoto and Zamfara states, while chikungunya had also been confirmed in Sokoto.
To strengthen the response, the NCDC said it had deployed National Rapid Response Teams, including entomologists from the National Arbovirus Research Centre in Enugu, to support affected states with case identification, laboratory investigations, clinical preparedness, community engagement and mosquito control.
The agency warned Nigerians against assuming that every fever was malaria, noting that dengue and chikungunya could also cause fever, headaches and body or joint pains.
It cautioned that dengue could become life-threatening if warning signs were not identified and treated promptly.
Residents were advised to eliminate stagnant water, cover water storage containers and protect themselves against mosquito bites, particularly as the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting the infections often bite during the day.
The NCDC also urged state governments to strengthen surveillance, diagnostic capacity and vaccination efforts against cerebrospinal meningitis as the dry season approaches.
On diphtheria, the agency warned that children who had missed routine immunisations remained particularly vulnerable, urging parents and caregivers to verify their children’s vaccination status.
It further cautioned that Nigeria was entering the period when Lassa fever cases traditionally increase, calling on state authorities and healthcare facilities to strengthen surveillance, testing, treatment preparedness and infection prevention measures.
The agency also appealed to state governments to provide frontline healthcare workers and emergency response teams with adequate funding, equipment and logistical support.
With the festive season approaching, the NCDC urged event organisers, healthcare providers and state authorities to prepare for increased travel and mass gatherings by ensuring access to basic medical services, proper hygiene and clear channels for reporting suspected infections.
