NCDC Flags Two Suspected Ebola Cases in North-East

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified two suspected cases of Ebola disease in the North-East.

The agency disclosed this in an update on its X handle on Saturday, saying both individuals had been isolated.

It added that health officials had started identifying and listing people who may have had contact with the suspected cases.

Laboratory tests are also underway to determine whether the individuals have Ebola virus disease.

However, the NCDC stressed that the classification of the two individuals as suspected cases does not mean they have tested positive.

The agency said only laboratory results can confirm whether they have contracted the disease.

The development comes less than two weeks after Nigeria confirmed its first imported Ebola case in Abuja.

The Federal Government confirmed the case on October 20, 2026, after a woman who travelled from Uganda developed symptoms in Nigeria.

Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, said the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital in Abuja four days later.

Health authorities initially identified 44 people who had contact with the patient, including healthcare workers, patients and caregivers.

The number later rose to 53 as officials expanded their contact tracing efforts.

Authorities placed the identified contacts under surveillance to monitor them for possible symptoms and prevent community transmission.

The patient later travelled to Switzerland for further treatment on October 26 with her husband.

Pate said she remained clinically stable at the time of the evacuation, although she could still transmit the virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said Nigeria would need to complete a 42-day monitoring period before it could be declared free of Ebola.

The period consists of 21 days of monitoring identified contacts, followed by another 21 days under established protocols.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government introduced a N100,000 weekly payment for each contact of the confirmed case.

The measure aims to encourage compliance with quarantine directives and reduce the risk of further transmission.

Amid the latest development, the NCDC urged Nigerians to maintain proper hand hygiene and practise enhanced sanitation.

It also advised the public to follow guidance from health authorities and rely on verified information.

The agency said it would provide further updates as more confirmed information becomes available.