The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says it has identified 53 contacts linked to Nigeria’s confirmed case of Ebola disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General of the NCDC, Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he provided an update on the country’s response to the outbreak.

Mr Idris said the contacts include healthcare workers, the confirmed patient’s domestic staff and spouse, as well as health personnel involved in collecting samples from the patient.

“As of now, we have 53 primary contacts. These comprise 44 people from the health facility where the patient was treated and nine additional contacts,” he said.

“Of the nine additional contacts, three are household members of the patient, her driver, chef and husband. Three others attended to her at Julius Berger Clinic before she got to the other facility, while the remaining three are members of the team who went to collect samples.”

He said the contacts had been listed and categorised according to their level of exposure, with public health teams continuing to monitor them.

According to him, none of the identified contacts had tested positive for Ebola or developed symptoms as of the time of the briefing.

Mr Idris also clarified that the agency had investigated two cases, including the confirmed case in the FCT and a suspected case in Rivers State, which tested negative for Ebola.

He disclosed that the confirmed patient had returned positive results from three samples collected for testing, while her husband tested negative for the disease.

Contact tracing continues

Mr Idris said contact tracing was ongoing, with public health teams working to identify people who may have been exposed to the confirmed patient and assess their level of risk.

He said identified contacts would be monitored for 21 days after their last possible exposure, in line with Ebola’s incubation period.

He explained that the number of contacts could change as investigations progressed and more information became available.

He said that being identified as a contact does not mean a person has Ebola, but allows health authorities to monitor their health and detect possible infections early.

Mr Idris urged Nigerians contacted by public health officials to cooperate with monitoring teams and provide accurate information about their movements, contacts and any symptoms they might experience.

Nigeria strengthens Ebola preparedness

The NCDC boss said the agency is strengthening laboratory capacity and infection prevention measures across the country as part of efforts to prevent further transmission of the disease.

Mr Idris said about 12 laboratories had been identified as having the capacity to test for Ebola, while efforts were ongoing to ensure the availability of reagents and other essential supplies.

He said testing for the confirmed case was being conducted at the National Reference Laboratory, with other facilities being supported to ensure suspected cases could be investigated promptly.

He added that the agency is also working with health authorities to train healthcare workers on infection prevention and control measures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment, hand hygiene and safe disposal of potentially infectious materials.

Mr Idris said preparedness and response activities were being strengthened in states considered at higher risk, while the NCDC was finalising an incident action plan with partners to coordinate the national response.

He commended healthcare workers for their vigilance in detecting the confirmed case. He also urged Nigerians to rely on information from public health authorities and avoid spreading rumours.

Nigeria’s Ebola case and possible link with Kenya

Nigeria confirmed an imported Ebola case in the FCT on Tuesday, 20 October, marking the country’s first confirmed case since the 2014 outbreak.

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The patient is a 42-year-old Ugandan-born woman resident in Abuja who recently returned from a holiday in Kampala, Uganda.

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the woman returned to Nigeria on 3 October and developed symptoms three days later.

On Friday, Nigerian authorities announced that genomic analysis showed a high degree of similarity between the virus detected in the Nigerian patient and that found in Kenya’s first imported case.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, said the finding did not establish that the Nigerian patient was infected in Kenya, as there was no evidence that she had travelled there.

The Africa CDC had earlier said it was investigating a possible link between the Nigerian and Kenyan cases because both patients travelled through Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport on 3 October.

Kenya’s first case was imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through Uganda. The country has since recorded nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, with the eight additional infections linked to the first patient.

As temperatures rise across parts of Nigeria, health authorities are warning residents to take precautions against the effects of extreme heat.

The warning comes as the country moves from the rainy season into the hotter, drier months, when prolonged exposure to high temperatures can increase the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

A recent report by the Climate Impact Lab estimated that Nigeria could record 31,400 additional heat-related deaths between September 2026 and February 2027.

The report, titled “451,000 at Risk: Where Action Can Save Lives During the Super El Niño,” estimated 451,000 additional heat-related deaths globally during the period.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in a 23 October advisory, also warned of hotter days and increased heat discomfort as the country enters the dry season.

The agency said changing weather conditions, including reduced rainfall and cloud cover, could contribute to rising temperatures. It warned that excessive heat could cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

People most at risk

Extreme heat can affect anyone, but some people are more vulnerable to its effects.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies older people, young children, people with chronic illnesses and outdoor workers among those who face greater health risks during periods of extreme heat.

People living with heart, lung or kidney conditions, diabetes and other chronic illnesses may also experience worsening symptoms when temperatures become very high.

Outdoor workers, including farmers, construction workers, traders and others who spend long periods under the sun, can also be exposed to heat for several hours without adequate opportunities to cool down.

WHO said extreme heat places additional stress on the body as it tries to maintain a normal temperature. Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and may also worsen existing health conditions.

What should you do?

NiMet advised Nigerians to drink water regularly and wear lightweight, breathable clothing.

It said people should also limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during the hottest periods of the day, and strenuous physical activities should be moved to cooler hours.

NiMet further urged schools and workplaces to ensure adequate ventilation, provide drinking water and shaded rest areas, and allow regular breaks during hot weather.

WHO similarly advises people to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, stay in shaded or cool places and keep their homes as cool as possible.

People should also check on relatives, neighbours and friends who may be more vulnerable, particularly older people and those living alone.

WHO urged parents to take extra care with young children. Children should not be left alone in parked vehicles, as temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly even when the weather outside does not appear extreme.

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Warning signs

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, weakness, headache, dizziness and nausea. Moving the person to a cooler place, giving fluids where they are able to drink and helping them cool down can help prevent the condition from becoming more serious.

Heatstroke is different and requires urgent medical attention. According to WHO, heatstroke is a potentially fatal medical emergency. Someone with hot, dry skin, delirium, convulsions or loss of consciousness during extreme heat should receive immediate medical attention.

The Climate Impact Lab said the projections provide an opportunity for governments and humanitarian organisations to identify vulnerable populations and direct resources towards interventions that can save lives.

NiMet has also urged Nigerians to follow official weather forecasts and advisories as conditions change.