Federal Government has confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja, prompting an emergency response to stop the deadly virus from spreading.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda on an international flight, is receiving treatment in isolation.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the development and assured Nigerians that the situation is under control.
He said health officials have already identified 44 people who had close contact with the patient and are closely monitoring them.
Professor Pate also announced that hospitals and other health facilities across the country have been placed on high alert to quickly detect and manage any suspected cases.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and avoid spreading false information, stressing that the government has activated measures to contain the disease.
The minister encouraged citizens to observe proper hygiene, avoid unnecessary contact with sick persons and report any suspected Ebola symptoms to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person and can be fatal if not treated early.
Nigeria’s successful containment of the 2014 Ebola outbreak remains one of the country’s biggest public health achievements and provides valuable experience for the current response.
Public health experts say rapid isolation of patients, contact tracing and community cooperation are essential to preventing another widespread outbreak.
The latest case has renewed concerns over cross-border disease surveillance as international travel continues to increase.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and urged Nigerians to stay alert, follow official health advice and report suspected cases without delay.
