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Ebola: 28 contacts remain under surveillance, 34 cleared

By Linda Ikeji 11 November 2026, 9:09 am

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that 28 people linked to the country's imported Ebola case remain under surveillance, while 34 others have been discharged after completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, made the disclosure in the agency’s national health security update released on Tuesday, November 10.

Idris said Nigeria was intensifying its response to the outbreak through joint efforts involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the FCT Administration, state authorities and development partners.

He added that the measures include contact tracing, investigating reported cases, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, safe patient care, and increased surveillance at the country's entry points.

“As of 9 November 2026, Nigeria had confirmed only one imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, with no additional confirmed cases,” he said.

“We continue to investigate reported alerts and maintain heightened surveillance across the country to ensure that suspected cases are promptly identified and investigated.

“A total of 62 contacts have been identified. Of these, 34 have completed their individual 21-day follow-up, while the remaining 28 are still under monitoring.”

The NCDC chief stressed that being listed as a contact did not necessarily mean the person was infected with the virus.

He said the 21-day surveillance period was aimed at detecting any potential symptoms early and ensuring that affected individuals receive prompt medical attention.

Idris also cautioned against confusing the monitoring period for individual contacts with the total number of days since the index case was confirmed.