‘We have no active case’, Uganda says Ebola patient in FCT is a Nigerian – Daily Trust

Uganda has clarified that as of Tuesday, October 21, 2026, when Nigerian well being authorities confirmed an active case of Ebola in its capital metropolis, Abuja, it had no active case of the virus.

Health Minister, Muhammad Ali, had introduced that a feminine patient who had travelled from Uganda in East Africa, examined constructive for the virus.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria confirms one case of Ebola illness in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following laboratory affirmation right now, 20 October 2026. The patient, a lady who lately arrived in Nigeria on a world flight from Uganda, was admitted to a non-public hospital in the FCT, the place she obtained take care of a number of days earlier than the analysis was confirmed. She is at present in isolation and receiving medical care.

“The FG calls on all private and non-private healthcare services nationwide to be on excessive alert. Healthcare staff should preserve a excessive index of suspicion, promptly determine and isolate suspected instances, observe strict an infection prevention and management measures, and instantly report suspected instances to public well being authorities.

“Investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to provide accurate and timely information,” Pate had stated.

The growth had made many Nigerians look in the direction of the path of Uganda, identical to Patrick Sawyerr, a Liberian, imported the illness to Nigeria in 2014.

But in a assertion issued after Pate’s remark, Charles Olaro, Director-General of Health Services in the East African nation, clarified that the patient is a Nigerian.

Olaro stated the girl had travelled to Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which has over almost 10,000 active instances with 4,500 deaths from Ebola, for enterprise and transited via Uganda in early October.

According to Olaro, she confirmed no signs whereas in Uganda however developed signs after arriving in Nigeria.

“Travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here. The location of exposure remains under investigation,” the ministry stated.

“The Government of Nigeria is but to supply detailed data on her journey itinerary and scientific historical past which is able to information additional investigations and any essential contact tracing.

“We wish to clarify that, as at the time of this statement, Uganda has NO confirmed active Ebola cases.”

The Ugandan authorities stated it had maintained restricted provisions for humanitarian and diplomatic motion, including that it could strengthen screening and public well being controls at factors of entry.

Symptoms, unfold and what to keep away from

Ebola is a extreme viral illness that may trigger excessive ranges of mortality. The WHO says the typical case fatality price throughout Ebola illness outbreaks is roughly 50 per cent, though the speed varies considerably based on the virus, outbreak circumstances and entry to care.

The virus is not airborne in the style of infections that unfold via odd respiratory in shared indoor areas.

According to the WHO, transmission between folks happens primarily via direct contact with the blood or different physique fluids of an contaminated one who has developed signs, or somebody who has died from the illness.

Infection can happen when contaminated fluids enter the physique via damaged pores and skin or the eyes, nostril or mouth.

Objects contaminated with infectious physique fluids, together with clothes, bedding and medical tools, also can unfold the virus.

People can also develop into contaminated via contact with contaminated animals, significantly when dealing with sick or useless wildlife or consuming inadequately dealt with merchandise from contaminated animals.

Traditional burial practices involving direct contact with the physique of somebody who died from Ebola can contribute to transmission if acceptable precautions are usually not taken.

Healthcare staff and relations caring for sufferers with out appropriate protecting measures can face a heightened danger.

The WHO says folks contaminated with Ebola don’t transmit the illness earlier than signs develop. Once signs start, they’ll stay infectious whereas the virus is current in their blood.

The incubation interval — the time between an infection and the looks of signs — ranges from two to 21 days.

The well being minister defined that Ebola spreads via direct contact with the blood or physique fluids of somebody who is sick with the illness or has died from it, or via contact with contaminated supplies. Prof Pate famous that a particular person with Ebola can not unfold the illness earlier than signs start.