Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has heightened surveillance and reviewed the country’s preparedness measures after Kenya confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Kenyan government confirmed the case on October 6, 2026, involving a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an Ebola outbreak is ongoing. The case was caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
According to NCDC, the patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before boarding a flight to Nairobi, where he was isolated and tested positive for the virus. He later died, while Kenyan health authorities began contact tracing and other response measures.
Jide Idris, NCDC director-general, said the development had increased the risk of international importation through travel and population movement, including the possibility of the virus reaching Nigeria.
“On 6th October 2026, the Government of Kenya confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, linked to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” the NCDC said.
The agency, however, stressed that there was no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria as of October 6, 2026.
NCDC said it had been monitoring the Ebola situation in the DRC and working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, state governments and other partners to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness.
Measures include early detection, isolation and referral of suspected cases, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers. The agency has also conducted a National Ebola Preparedness Tabletop Simulation exercise to test response arrangements and identify gaps.
Following the Kenyan case, the NCDC said it was reviewing the risk to Nigeria and would strengthen existing measures where necessary.
The agency urged Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid direct contact with the blood or body fluids of people who are ill or suspected to have Ebola.
It also advised travellers from affected areas to monitor their health for 21 days and provide healthcare workers with accurate information about recent travel or possible exposure.
Kenya’s Health Ministry said the patient had arrived in Nairobi on October 3 aboard a Jambojet flight after travelling from the DRC through Uganda. Authorities are tracing passengers and crew members who were on the flight, while contacts linked to the patient are being monitored.
Kenyan authorities have also stressed that the country is dealing with an imported case, not an Ebola outbreak, while strengthening surveillance and contact-tracing measures.
