By Chiagoziem Abosi
Edited by Bababunmi Agbebi
Nigeria has completed the 21-day monitoring of all 62 contacts linked to an imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, with no secondary transmission recorded. However, the NCDC says surveillance and preparedness measures will continue.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) announced this in a press briefing. According to the agency, all 62 people identified as contacts of the confirmed patient completed the monitoring period.
During the monitoring period, 13 of the 62 contacts reported fever or other non-specific symptoms. The NCDC said all 13 were tested for Bundibugyo virus disease and returned negative results.
The agency also investigated seven additional alerts reported across Adamawa, Rivers, Borno, Lagos and Ekiti states within the three-week period covered by its briefing. All seven alerts tested negative for the disease.
In its report, the NCDC described the completion of contact monitoring without confirmed secondary transmission as an encouraging outcome. It attributed the result to early detection, prompt investigation, public health measures and cooperation between health authorities and the people involved.
Recall that the case was confirmed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 20, 2026, following an alert raised by healthcare workers at a private hospital.
The patient had travelled to Nigeria from Uganda before developing symptoms. She received medical care in the country before being evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further treatment.
The NCDC confirmed that the patient subsequently recovered, tested negative for the virus and was discharged from hospital in Switzerland.
Despite the successful completion of contact monitoring, the NCDC has cautioned against treating the development as a formal declaration that the outbreak is over.
The agency explained that such a declaration must be based on established public health criteria and findings from ongoing surveillance.
According to the briefing, Nigeria’s National Emergency Operations Centre remains activated, with the Incident Management System operating at Level 3, which the NCDC describes as the highest response level for Ebola disease.
The agency says it will continue to investigate reported alerts, strengthen infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities, maintain laboratory readiness and work with Port Health Services to sustain public health measures at international points of entry.
The NCDC has also advised the public to avoid unprotected contact with the blood and other body fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola or another infectious disease. People identified as contacts of suspected or confirmed cases are expected to cooperate with public health authorities and follow their instructions.
With increased movement expected during the December festive season, the NCDC has called on organisers of religious gatherings, political rallies, concerts, festivals and sporting events to make appropriate arrangements for sanitation, safe drinking water, medical assistance and prompt reporting of suspected illnesses.
International travellers arriving in Nigeria are also required to complete the Nigeria Health Declaration Form before arrival and provide accurate health and travel information.
Nigeria’s announcement comes amid the wider Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In its update, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported ongoing community transmission in the DRC.
For now, the NCDC says there is no reason for panic. It is urging Nigerians to remain vigilant, report symptoms early and cooperate with public health officials.
