The World Health Organisation has urged countries not to impose travel or trade restrictions on nations affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak, warning against measures that could unnecessarily disrupt international movement and commerce.
In a statement, the organisation said it was monitoring measures introduced by countries in response to the outbreak and would verify reports of travel and trade restrictions where necessary.
The advisory comes as Nigeria confirms its first imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory, becoming the fifth country to detect the virus since the outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, 2026.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the infected patient was a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
According to the minister, her symptoms began on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria. She sought medical attention at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11, and laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20.
The patient is currently receiving treatment in isolation, while investigations are ongoing to establish the likely source of infection and trace people who may have been exposed.
Health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring and strengthened infection prevention and control measures at the facility where the patient received treatment.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response.
The WHO said it was supporting Nigerian authorities with case investigations, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, as well as essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
The organisation also urged countries across the region to strengthen surveillance, ensure laboratories can safely test suspected cases, prepare rapid-response and clinical teams, and maintain adequate medical supplies.
It further emphasised the importance of community engagement and enhanced monitoring at airports and other points of entry as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve.
Kenya has also reported nine cases linked to an imported infection, prompting heightened concern about the spread of the disease across the region.
Despite the WHO’s advice against travel restrictions, the United States on Monday urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Kenya, citing Ebola-related risks and other security concerns.
In a separate development, Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo said on Tuesday that he had been denied a visa to El Salvador amid concerns about Ebola in Kenya.
Madowo said El Salvador had restricted entry for citizens of eight African countries, including Ethiopia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and the Central African Republic.
The reported restrictions contrast with the WHO’s recommendation that countries avoid travel and trade measures against nations affected by the outbreak.
The organisation said it would continue reviewing its assessment of the outbreak as new information becomes available.
