Nigeria is reviewing its Ebola preparedness after Kenya confirmed an imported case of the Bundibugyo virus, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said.

The NCDC said the case highlights the risk of “international importation” of the virus through travel and population movement, “including the possibility of the virus being imported into Nigeria.”

The agency announced this Tuesday night in a statement signed by its Director-General, Jide Idris. It noted that “as of 6 October, there is no confirmed case of Ebola disease in Nigeria.”

The case makes Kenya the fourth country to report a case linked to the current Bundibugyo virus outbreak, following the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and France.

Kenya confirms first case

PREMIUM TIMES reported on Tuesday that Kenya confirmed its first imported case of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the patient was a Kenyan citizen who had been living in the DRC, where the virus outbreak is ongoing.

The patient travelled by road from the DRC to Kampala, Uganda, before flying to Nairobi, where they were isolated after developing symptoms. Samples tested positive for Bundibugyo virus at Kenya’s National Virology Reference Laboratory and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Despite receiving supportive care, the patient died on the night of 5 October and was buried on Tuesday under Kenya’s safe and dignified burial protocol, according to WHO.

Nigeria reviews preparedness

The NCDC said the development in Kenya has added a new regional dimension to the outbreak and underscores the possibility of international importation through travel and population movement.

It noted that since the outbreak was first reported in the DRC, NCDC, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Port Health Services, State governments, and other stakeholders, including partners, has taken steps to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for Ebola.

“These efforts have focused on early detection, isolation and referral, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, risk communication and protection of healthcare workers,” it said.

The NCDC said Nigeria has conducted a national Ebola preparedness tabletop simulation exercise to assess the country’s readiness to respond to a possible case.

It added that it would continue to monitor developments in Kenya, the DRC and other affected countries and adjust preparedness measures as necessary.

DRC remains worst affected

The current outbreak was first reported in the DRC and has been linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.

As of 23 September, WHO said the DRC had reported 7,890 confirmed cases, including 3,799 deaths, giving a crude case fatality ratio of 48.1 per cent.

The outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces, with WHO warning of increased cross-border risks.

Uganda’s latest Ebola outbreak ended in August, while France reported a travel-related case in June.

READ ALSO: Kenya confirms first imported Ebola case linked to DRC outbreak

NCDC advises travellers, health workers

The NCDC advised people travelling from affected areas to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the affected area.

“If symptoms develop, avoid unnecessary contact with others and immediately contact the appropriate public health authorities or seek care at a recognised health facility, clearly disclosing travel and possible exposure history,” it noted.

The agency also advised Nigerians to practise hand hygiene and avoid contact with the body fluids of sick or deceased people.

It urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion when treating patients with compatible symptoms and a history of travel to or exposure in an affected area within the previous 21 days.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it will publish the final list of candidates contesting the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the commission said its chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the revelation during a world press conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

It said the publication would mark an important stage in its preparations for the 2027 general elections, with political parties expected to have their candidates formally confirmed for the state-level contests.

The electoral body also provided updates on the number of political parties that had submitted candidates, the voter register, Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), election technology and funding.

According to INEC, 21 of the 22 registered political parties nominated candidates for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The parties submitted 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates and 9,692 candidates for various State House of Assembly seats.

The commission had earlier published the personal particulars of the nominated candidates as required under the electoral timetable.

The final list is expected to reflect subsequent withdrawals, substitutions and other changes that occurred during the nomination process.

“18 of the 22 registered political parties submitted 36 presidential and vice-presidential candidates, while the Final List of Candidates for the National Assembly was published on 12th September 2026.

“The final list for governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates will be published on 10th October 2026,” INEC said.