# Ebola: Nigeria's imported case doesn't signal outbreak

> WHO says Nigeria's single Ebola case won't trigger outbreak.
- Title: Ebola: Nigeria's imported case doesn't signal outbreak
- Summary: WHO says Nigeria's single Ebola case won't trigger outbreak. WHO confirms Nigeria's one imported Ebola case does not mean an outbreak is happening.
- Keywords: ebola, nigeria, ncdc, ebola outbreak, imported case, bundibugyo virus, drc outbreak, news, politics, Nigeria's, imported, case
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/919091-ebola-one-imported-case-does-not-mean-nigeria-is-experiencing-outbreak-who.html
- Author: Mariam Ileyemi
- Published: 2026-10-22T04:19:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: ebola, nigeria, who, ncdc, ebola outbreak, imported case, bundibugyo virus, drc outbreak, news, politics
## WHO reassures Nigeria
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said one imported case does not mean Nigeria is experiencing an Ebola outbreak.

> one imported case does not by itself mean that nigeria is experiencing an ebola outbreak
## Nigeria confirms first case
Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease after a woman who recently travelled to the country was diagnosed at a private hospital in Abuja.
## Case details
The woman developed symptoms after arriving in Nigeria and is currently receiving treatment in isolation in the Federal Capital Territory.
## NCDC response
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has activated its incident management system while health authorities have begun contact tracing.
## 44 contacts identified
The 44 identified contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts.
## Case classified as imported
The Nigerian government said the case is currently being treated as an imported infection rather than community transmission.
## WHO response
WHO said Nigeria's response demonstrates the importance of early detection and rapid public health action in preventing further transmission.
## DRC outbreak context
The DRC reported 9,552 confirmed cases and 4,602 related deaths as of 19 October, based on data up to 18 October.
## Kenya cases
Kenya has also recorded imported cases linked to the DRC outbreak with health authorities reporting nine confirmed cases as of 20 October.
## Virologist concerns
Virologist Oyewale Tomori raised concerns about the time taken to confirm the Nigerian case and urged health authorities to strengthen diagnostic response.
## Tomori's advice
He said health workers should have a higher index of suspicion when treating travellers from areas where Ebola is circulating.
## Tomori on contacts
Tomori also urged authorities to prepare for the possibility that additional cases could emerge among the 44 contacts currently being monitored.
## WHO's warning
WHO said the evolving situation in the DRC is a reminder for countries across Africa to maintain strong surveillance, laboratory readiness and rapid response capacity.
## What happens next
WHO urges Nigerians to remain calm, stay informed and follow advice from public health authorities.

> there is no benefit in fear or misinformation what helps is early reporting cooperation with the health authorities and reliable information from reliable sources
## Key takeaway

WHO confirms Nigeria's one imported Ebola case does not mean an outbreak is happening.