Nigeria Ebola Scare: NCDC Monitors 53 Contacts, Probes New Emergency Room

ABUJA — The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two additional suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease and placed 53 primary contacts under strict surveillance as public health authorities intensify containment operations.

NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris announced the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

The new figures mark an expansion from the 44 primary contacts initially reported following the confirmation of the country’s first infection in the Federal Capital Territory earlier this week.

Health officials widened their investigation after discovering that the confirmed patient had visited a separate emergency room prior to receiving an official diagnosis.

According to Dr. Idris, the contact list has grown to include healthcare workers, the patient’s spouse, domestic staff, and emergency room personnel involved in early sample collections.

Of the 53 monitored individuals, 44 are tied to the primary health facility where the patient received treatment, while nine new contacts comprise three household members and frontline personnel from the earlier emergency room visit.

Secondary tracking is currently underway to identify individuals exposed to these primary contacts.

To prevent a wider outbreak, the NCDC has activated a network of 12 public and private laboratories equipped to test for the virus. Active monitoring and testing protocols have been heightened across all national entry points and high-risk zones.

The agency has issued an immediate mandate requiring all public and private clinics nationwide to strengthen screening, triage, and infection control protocols. Healthcare facilities must also ensure all frontline workers are equipped with adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The NCDC is working in coordination with state and local government authorities to boost regional preparedness and manage containment strategies. Citizens are urged to remain calm but vigilant and report any potential symptoms to health authorities.