The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has clarified that Nigeria has recorded only one confirmed Ebola infection, despite reports suggesting additional cases.
The agency said it investigated two suspected cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Rivers State. However, the Rivers State case tested negative, leaving the confirmed infection in Abuja as the country’s only verified case.
NCDC Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed the latest figures during a briefing on the country’s Ebola response.
NCDC Identifies 53 Ebola Contacts
According to the NCDC, health authorities have identified 53 primary contacts linked to the confirmed patient.
These include 44 people from the health facility where the patient received treatment and nine additional contacts.
The remaining contacts include the patient’s husband, driver, chef and healthcare personnel who attended to her or collected samples.
The agency said none of the identified contacts had tested positive or developed symptoms as of its latest briefing.
Health officials will continue monitoring the contacts for 21 days after their last possible exposure.
Confirmed Patient Improving, Husband Tests Negative
The NCDC said the confirmed patient, a 42-year-old woman who travelled from Uganda to Nigeria through Addis Ababa on October 3, is receiving treatment in isolation.
She developed symptoms on October 7 and was subsequently admitted to a private health facility.
Laboratory testing confirmed Ebola disease on October 20.
The agency said the patient’s condition had improved considerably.
Her husband, who was among those exposed, also tested negative for the virus.
NCDC Announces ₦100,000 Weekly Support
The NCDC has approved a weekly allowance of ₦100,000 for eligible quarantined contacts.
The intervention is intended to help affected individuals meet financial obligations while complying with public health restrictions.
Officials explained that some contacts expressed concerns about lost income and their inability to support their families during quarantine.
Health Authorities Strengthen Surveillance
The NCDC has activated a national response system involving federal and state health authorities.
The agency is strengthening laboratory testing, infection prevention and contact tracing to prevent further transmission.
Health officials have urged Nigerians to report suspected symptoms, cooperate with surveillance teams and avoid spreading unverified information.
The NCDC emphasised that being identified as an Ebola contact does not mean a person has contracted the disease.
As of the latest official situation report reviewed, Nigeria had recorded one confirmed Ebola case, no confirmed deaths and no positive cases among the 53 identified contacts.
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