Get Guardian on Google…NCDC confirms recovery of index patient, but sustains highest response level amid fears of fresh importation
…FCT remains on high alert despite completion of Ebola contact tracing –Faswe
Nigeria has recorded no secondary transmission of the deadly Bundibugyo Virus Disease, an Ebola variant, following the completion of a 21-day monitoring period for all 62 contacts linked to the country’s index case, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The centre also confirmed that the index patient, who was medically evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further treatment, had recovered, tested negative for the virus and been discharged from hospital.
Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris announced on Friday that all identified contacts had completed monitoring without developing the disease, describing the development as an encouraging milestone in the country’s response to the imported case confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 20, 2026.
Dr Jide Idris who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja, noted that 13 of the 62 contacts developed fever or other non-specific symptoms during the monitoring period.
He however, stated that laboratory tests conducted on all 13 returned negative results adding that Seven suspected cases reported across Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti states in the past three weeks were investigated and subsequently tested negative for the virus.
Despite the positive development, the NCDC boss cautioned against declaring the outbreak over, stressing that the completion of contact monitoring alone does not meet all the requirements for a formal declaration that an outbreak has ended.
Idris stated that Nigeria would maintain heightened surveillance and preparedness, particularly in view of the continued occurrence of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to Idris, the National Emergency Operations Centre remains activated, with the Incident Management System operating at Level 3, the highest response level for Ebola virus disease.
He explained that the national response involved contact tracing across healthcare facilities and households, strengthened infection prevention and control measures, laboratory investigations, healthcare worker training and the deployment of protective equipment.
Idris observed that the NCDC also intensified public enlightenment and community engagement to counter misinformation and encourage cooperation with health authorities.
He however, warned that increased movement of people during the approaching December festive season, religious gatherings, concerts, sporting events and political activities would require sustained public health vigilance.
The NCDC boss urged Nigerians and international visitors to seek medical attention promptly when unwell, particularly after travelling or having possible exposure to infectious diseases.
Idris advised members of the public not to assume that every fever was malaria and urged patients to disclose their travel histories and possible exposure to healthcare workers.
He also called on organisers of mass gatherings to provide adequate sanitation, safe drinking water, medical assistance and mechanisms for promptly reporting suspected illnesses.
All inbound international travellers are still required to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form before arrival, while healthcare workers have been urged to maintain a high index of suspicion and report suspected cases without delay.
The NCDC boss maintained that there was no cause for panic but insisted that vigilance, early detection and public cooperation remained critical to protecting the country from further importation of the disease.
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secttariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Dr Dolapo Fasawe maintained that Nigeria is not relaxing its Ebola surveillance measures despite the successful completion of a 21-day isolation period by members of its Rapid Response Team who had contact with a suspected Ebola patient.
Addressing questions on the FCT’s response to the suspected Ebola case, , Fasawe explained that the FCT remained vigilant as health authorities continued to monitor the situation in line with international health regulations.
She noted that the FCT Epidemiological Unit was initially alerted by a private health facility about a suspected Ebola case involving a patient with a relevant travel history.
“Following the notification, the FCT Rapid Response Team was immediately deployed, with members subsequently undergoing a three-week isolation period after contact with the patient.
“The team successfully completed the isolation period and returned healthy, she added.
Fasawe explained that following laboratory confirmation of the Ebola infection, an incident management structure was immediately activated in the nation’s capital, bringing together relevant federal agencies and development partners to coordinate the response.
The Mandate Secretary also assured residents that private health facilities in the FCT had been accredited and were familiar with established Ebola response protocols, including access to emergency contact numbers provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
He said the preparedness of private hospitals was critical to ensuring early detection, prompt reporting and effective management of any similar health emergency.
Addressing concerns about the decision to evacuate the patient to Switzerland for treatment, the the mandate Secretary said the initial hospital in the FCT had appropriately managed the case despite the patient’s multiple organ failures.
She explained that the patient was still ambulatory and able to communicate before she was medically evacuated to Switzerland in accordance with the requirements of her organisation.
According to her, the patient initially tested positive for Ebola upon arrival in Switzerland but subsequently recovered, tested negative and was discharged.
She dismissed suggestions that the medical evacuation reflected a lack of confidence in Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing it instead as an example of international health collaboration and mutual learning under the International Health Regulations (IHR).
On whether the completion of the 21-day isolation period meant surveillance activities had been relaxed, the Mandate Secretary insisted that the country remained on alert.
She clarified that although the isolation period for the identified contacts had ended, Nigeria would still need to observe another 21-day period without a new confirmed case before the World Health Organisation (WHO) could officially declare the country Ebola-free.
Fasawe stressed that the end of the isolation period for the response team should not be interpreted as an end to public health vigilance, adding that preparedness and surveillance remained essential to preventing further transmission.
