Nigeria’s Ebola Index Case Set for Medical Evacuation, Two Suspected Cases Test Negative

Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola patient is expected to be evacuated abroad for further medical treatment, as health authorities intensify contact tracing and surveillance to prevent further transmission of the disease.

The 42-year-old woman, whose infection was confirmed on October 20, is receiving treatment in isolation. Arrangements had reportedly been made for her medical evacuation early on Monday, October 26, with an aircraft said to be awaiting her departure.

The planned evacuation comes as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed that two suspected Ebola cases, one in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and another in Rivers State, had tested negative.

NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed the developments during a briefing in Abuja, adding that 53 primary contacts linked to the confirmed case had been identified and were being monitored. The contacts include healthcare workers, the patient’s spouse, domestic staff and other people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Idris said the patient was receiving medical care under isolation, with infection prevention and control measures in place. He added that the search for additional secondary contacts was continuing as investigators worked to establish the full extent of possible exposure.

The patient reportedly returned to Nigeria from Uganda through Addis Ababa on October 3. She developed symptoms on October 7 and visited private health facilities on October 10 and 11 before the NCDC was notified on October 19. Laboratory testing subsequently confirmed infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

Health authorities said the case was detected after healthcare workers recognised symptoms that raised concerns and alerted the surveillance system. The federal government has since activated a coordinated national response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the NCDC, FCT health authorities and other partners.

The response includes monitoring identified contacts for 21 days, strengthening infection prevention in healthcare facilities, expanding laboratory capacity and improving surveillance at points of entry.

The government is also considering or implementing financial assistance for people placed in quarantine to support their feeding and upkeep. Authorities have discussed a payment of ₦100,000 per person weekly, while states are expected to assume responsibility for contacts within their jurisdictions.

Idris urged Nigerians to cooperate with contact-tracing teams, provide accurate information about their movements and possible exposures, and report symptoms promptly. He stressed that being identified as a contact does not mean a person has contracted Ebola.

He also warned against misinformation and stigmatisation, urging the public to rely on verified updates from the NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The government said its immediate priorities remained providing appropriate care for the confirmed patient, identifying and monitoring contacts, protecting healthcare workers and preventing further transmission.