The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that there is no case of Ebola virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory tests on a suspected index case.
In an official statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, the NCDC revealed that the patient, who was initially suspected of having a viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF), tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg viruses.
However, the Centre noted that further diagnostic testing is ongoing to rule out other VHFs, including Lassa Fever and Dengue Fever.
“Thanks to early reporting by a traveller and the swift action of vigilant health workers, the risk to the public was minimised,” the NCDC said.
The Centre urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid panic or misinformation, and promptly seek medical attention if they feel unwell — particularly after recent travel.
“If you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek medical care immediately. Wash hands regularly and practise good hygiene. Avoid contact with anyone showing unexplained fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Rely only on official NCDC updates. Say no to rumours,” the Centre advised.
The alert followed concerns raised after a passenger on a RwandAir flight to Abuja reportedly exhibited symptoms that were initially feared to be consistent with Ebola.
Providing more details, the Director General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that two recent suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever in Abuja have now been ruled out for Ebola and Marburg.
“We wish to inform the public that both tested negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses. We are currently testing samples for other viral haemorrhagic fevers like Lassa Fever and Dengue Fever,” Dr. Idris said.
He added that in the most recent case, a traveller returning from Kigali promptly presented himself at a hospital in Abuja upon experiencing symptoms.
“His decision to report early, combined with the vigilance of the attending clinician and hospital team, ensured that our public health system was promptly activated and that the risk to the public was minimised,” he said.
Dr. Idris commended the patient’s responsible action and urged all Nigerians to emulate such behaviour.
“When you feel unwell, especially after travel, seek care early. Doing so protects you, your family, and your community,” he added.
The NCDC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring rapid detection and response to infectious disease threats and encouraged the public to stay informed only through verified channels.
