Nigeria Tracks 53 Ebola Contacts, Strengthens Airport Screening Nationwide

By Ojoma Akor

ABUJA, October 26, 2026 — The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it has identified 53 primary contacts linked to Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this Sunday in Abuja, during a press briefing on the outbreak, that the country had activated a coordinated national response to contain the disease.

He said authorities have also intensified surveillance, contact tracing and screening at international airports to prevent further transmission.

The DG said authorities had identified and categorized the contacts, with public health teams conducting follow-up to monitor their health and detect any symptoms that might indicate infection.

Dr Idris explained that the contacts included healthcare workers at the facility where the patient was treated, household members and other individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.

He added that contact tracing was ongoing and that investigations could change the number of people being monitored as additional information became available.

“As of now, we have 53 primary contacts,” Idris said.

According to him, authorities had investigated two suspected cases: one in the FCT and another in Rivers State. The Rivers State case tested negative, leaving the FCT case as the only confirmed case reported.

Nigeria strengthens airport screening

As part of efforts to prevent further importation of the virus, he said screening measures had been strengthened at the country’s international airports.

Idris said the agency had issued fresh directives requiring airlines to ensure that passengers complete health declaration forms before boarding flights to Nigeria.

The measures cover passengers arriving from all countries, reversing an earlier approach that focused on selected countries considered higher risk.

The five international airports prioritized for preparedness activities are those in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano and Port Harcourt.

The NCDC is working with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, immigration and customs authorities, airlines and other relevant agencies to implement the measures, he said.

Idris said the collaboration was necessary because the different agencies have distinct responsibilities at airports and other points of entry.

He noted that immigration and customs authorities were also involved in strengthening surveillance at land borders.

The DG said the enhanced measures were intended to identify potential exposures early and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against further introduction of the virus.

Nine to 12 laboratories identified for testing

The NCDC has identified between nine and 12 laboratories across the country with the capacity to test for Ebola, Idris said.

He said the agency’s National Reference Laboratory confirmed the index case, while strengthening additional laboratory capacity to support the national response.

The agency is also mobilizing laboratory commodities and other supplies to ensure that facilities within the network can respond to suspected cases.

Idris disclosed that genomic sequencing had been completed at the National Reference Laboratory and a private laboratory in the country.

The analysis is intended to help determine the virus’s genetic characteristics and establish its relationship with strains circulating elsewhere.

He said the findings were being discussed with counterparts in Uganda as part of ongoing information-sharing efforts.

The NCDC is also engaging international partners to strengthen its understanding of the outbreak and guide response measures.

NCDC offers support to monitored contacts

The DG said the agency was providing financial and logistical support to contacts under monitoring, including help with accommodation and feeding.

He said the support was intended to help affected individuals comply with public health measures while maintaining their essential needs.

Idris explained that the NCDC undertook the intervention as an emergency measure, noting that states also have responsibilities for providing the necessary facilities and support during public health emergencies.

The agency is continuing to review the arrangements as the response progresses.

Contact monitoring will continue for 21 days after the last possible exposure, reflecting Ebola’s recognized incubation period of two to 21 days.

Idris urged anyone contacted by public health officials to cooperate fully, provide accurate information about their movements and contacts, and report any symptoms promptly.

He stressed that being identified as a contact does not mean that an individual has Ebola, but indicates the need for monitoring to detect possible infection early.