Nigeria’s Ebola patient has reportedly developed multiple organ failure, raising concerns as the Federal Government and state authorities intensify efforts to prevent the deadly virus from spreading.
The patient, a diplomat whose identity and nationality have not been disclosed, was diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Abuja. Olajumoke Babatunde, Director of Public Health Laboratory Service at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), disclosed the patient’s deteriorating condition during an emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
Babatunde said laboratory officials conducted three levels of molecular testing to identify the virus and confirmed that it was the Bundibugyo strain.
The strain is a rare member of the Ebola virus group. It was first identified during an outbreak in Uganda in 2007 and is also associated with the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood and other bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials. Casual contact with someone who is not showing symptoms does not ordinarily transmit the virus.
Nigeria Ebola Case Triggers Emergency Response
The Federal Government has stepped up its response following confirmation of the imported infection in Abuja.
The NCDC said the infected woman arrived in Nigeria from Uganda on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital in Abuja on October 11.
Her travel history and failure to respond to malaria treatment prompted medical personnel to alert health authorities.
The agency has activated its incident-management system, with teams working on case management, surveillance, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and public communication.
The NCDC also held its first incident-management meeting on Wednesday to coordinate the national response. It said its incident action plan was being finalised, while response teams were already carrying out emergency activities.
Health authorities are monitoring people who may have come into contact with the patient. They have also urged Nigerians to avoid misinformation and cooperate with public health officials.
FG Assures Nigerians, Partners Uganda
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, said the government was working with Uganda and tracing contacts to prevent further transmission.
Pate spoke to State House correspondents on Wednesday after meeting the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant without giving in to panic, stressing that the country had the institutions and experience required to manage the situation.
The minister recalled Nigeria’s response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak and said the NCDC was working continuously to contain the imported case.
He also disclosed that the government would continue providing updates as new information became available.
Pate said Nigeria had gone several months without a case despite the regional outbreak and maintained that authorities had detected the imported infection and activated containment measures.
He added that the government was reviewing its response arrangements in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Presidential Task Force on Ebola.
President Bola Tinubu had directed a review of Nigeria’s response plan at a National Security Council meeting on October 15, according to the report.
Pate also warned that containment efforts depended partly on public cooperation, particularly compliance with instructions given to people identified as potential contacts.
Keyamo Orders 21-Day Flight Restriction
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to place 46 people linked to the case on a no-fly list for 21 days.
According to Keyamo, the group comprises 44 people who had contact with the patient at the hospital and two domestic staff members.
He said the restriction was intended to prevent possible transmission while health authorities worked to establish whether the contacts had been infected.
Keyamo directed the NCAA to notify local and international airlines immediately. He also ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to strengthen screening and surveillance at international airports.
The measures include temperature checks, travel-history reviews, digital health declarations and closer coordination with the NCDC.
FAAN has also begun installing temperature-screening cameras at airports. Passengers flagged by the equipment will undergo further medical assessment, while suspected cases will be isolated for evaluation.
The authority is also providing hand sanitisers and protective equipment for frontline personnel.
The NCDC’s incident manager, Dr Odianosen Ehiakhamen, said 44 contacts had been identified, mainly healthcare workers and hospital support staff.
Senate Demands Mandatory Health Screening
The Senate has urged the Federal Government to introduce mandatory health screening for passengers arriving through international airports, seaports and designated land borders.
The lawmakers also called for emergency funding to strengthen surveillance, equip Port Health Services and prepare treatment and isolation centres across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Ondo South Senator Francis Faduyile, who warned that the risk of importing Ebola had been rated high by the NCDC.
Faduyile recalled Nigeria’s 2014 outbreak, which recorded 20 confirmed and probable cases and eight deaths. He stressed the importance of early detection, contact tracing and coordinated action.
The Senate recommended health declaration forms, temperature checks and symptom screening for international arrivals. It also called for enhanced checks on travellers who had visited or passed through affected areas within the preceding 21 days.
The lawmakers urged authorities to provide trained personnel, thermal scanners, protective equipment and adequate isolation facilities at entry points.
They also called for an update to the Quarantine Act of 1976 to reflect current public health needs.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged agencies to act proactively, while Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno supported efforts to modernise the existing law.
The Senate directed relevant committees to inspect major entry points, engage the responsible agencies and report their findings within four weeks.
Reps Seek Release of Emergency Funds
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to strengthen Ebola prevention measures and release outstanding budgetary funds allocated to relevant health agencies.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Amobi Ogah, who represents Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State.
Ogah warned that delays in identifying suspected cases, conducting laboratory tests, isolating infected people and tracing contacts could increase the risk of transmission.
He also raised concerns about public awareness, infection-prevention supplies, healthcare workers’ preparedness and emergency response capacity.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Finance to release outstanding funds to support surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency activities.
It also asked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to assess any additional funding required to strengthen the national response.
The House Committee on Infectious Diseases was mandated to engage relevant agencies and report back for further legislative action.
States Intensify Surveillance and Preparedness
Several state governments have activated emergency measures following the confirmation of the Abuja case.
In Anambra State, authorities said they had followed up 40 people of interest. As of October 20, 33 had completed their monitoring period and been cleared, while seven remained under active follow-up.
Ogun State also reported monitoring 111 people of interest. Commissioner for Health Tomi Coker said on October 21 that no Ebola case had been recorded in the state and that the people monitored had been discharged after completing the required surveillance period.
Niger State has placed its health system on high alert, activated emergency operations and said it was completing an isolation centre.
Yobe State has established surveillance teams, contact-tracing arrangements and isolation facilities across its 17 local government areas. Its Ministry of Health said isolation centres were available in Bade, Potiskum and Damaturu.
The state is also strengthening surveillance at land borders, distributing infection-prevention materials and conducting public awareness campaigns.
In Ekiti State, authorities have trained laboratory personnel, surveillance teams and healthcare workers. The government has also conducted simulation exercises, stockpiled protective equipment and established a technical working group on Ebola.
Enugu State has reactivated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and strengthened surveillance across its 17 local government areas. Authorities are also working with Port Health Services to reinforce monitoring around Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
Kano State has similarly reactivated its emergency operations centre and placed it on high alert. Officials urged residents to report suspected cases promptly rather than panic.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government and health authorities continue to coordinate surveillance and preparedness activities nationwide.
WHO Warns of Regional Ebola Risk
The World Health Organisation has urged countries in the region to maintain heightened vigilance, strengthen early detection and prevent further transmission.
The organisation declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern on May 16.
The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, according to the report.
The United States government has also issued a health alert to its citizens following Nigeria’s confirmation of the imported case. The advisory urged people who may have been exposed to monitor their health for 21 days and seek medical guidance if symptoms develop.
Health authorities have reminded Nigerians that being identified as a contact does not automatically mean a person has Ebola. Such individuals require appropriate monitoring and assessment.
Residents are advised to practise good hand hygiene, avoid contact with the bodily fluids of suspected cases and follow guidance from trusted public health sources.
The Federal Government has maintained that the case was imported and that containment efforts are ongoing. Authorities say early detection, effective contact tracing and public cooperation remain essential to preventing further spread.
Read Also:Ebola Alert: FAAN Tightens Airport Surveillance Across Nigeria