Nigeria Records Major Breakthrough as WHO Gives Update on 62 Ebola Contacts

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a significant development in Nigeria’s response to the imported Bundibugyo virus disease case, confirming that all 62 identified contacts have completed their mandatory 21-day monitoring period without any secondary transmission.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, disclosed the development on Friday, November 13, 2026, congratulating the Nigerian government, healthcare workers and emergency responders for their efforts in preventing further spread of the virus.

According to the WHO chief, the 62 individuals identified as contacts of the confirmed case completed the monitoring exercise without any secondary infection being detected.

The development follows Nigeria’s confirmation of an imported Bundibugyo virus disease case on October 20, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The index patient, a 42-year-old woman who had travelled from Uganda through Ethiopia, was later evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further medical treatment. She has since recovered and was discharged from hospital after testing negative for the virus.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), through its Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, also confirmed that 13 of the 62 contacts reported fever or other symptoms during the monitoring period. However, laboratory tests showed that none of them had contracted the virus.

Despite the positive development, health authorities have cautioned that the completion of contact monitoring does not mean the outbreak has officially ended

Nigeria will continue its surveillance and preparedness activities, while the National Emergency Operations Centre remains activated at Level 3.

The WHO has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria as the country continues efforts to prevent further transmission of the disease.

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