Ekiti Puts Residents On Alert Over Ebola, Issues Health Advisory

The Ekiti State Government has issued a health advisory on Ebola Virus Disease following the confirmation of a case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The advisory, issued by the Ministry of Health and Human Services on October 20, 2026, outlined preventive measures and steps for residents to seek help.

The advisory underscored the commitment of the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration to public health management and the welfare of citizens.

According to the Federal Government, the confirmed case is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda. She was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT where she received care for several days before laboratory confirmation on October 20. She is currently in isolation.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said it has identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing, including healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. The Federal Government has placed all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide on high alert.

On its preparedness, the Ekiti State Government said it had intensified surveillance since the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 17, 2026.

The state listed measures taken to include public awareness campaigns through stakeholders and radio jingles, production and distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, training of laboratory personnel on sample collection and handling, training of State and Local Government surveillance teams, and inauguration of an Ebola Technical Working Group.

Other measures include orientation of airport officials on passenger screening, simulation exercises at the treatment centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, training of health workers on case management and infection prevention, and stockpiling of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The government advised residents to remain calm but vigilant, practice regular hand hygiene, avoid contact with body fluids of suspected cases, and watch out for symptoms such as sudden fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding, especially in persons with travel history to DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya or FCT.

Residents were urged to report any suspected case to the nearest General Hospital or call the emergency lines: 07049204288, 08160193629, 07049204334, and to cooperate with public health teams while avoiding rumours and stigmatization.

The government assured residents that Nigeria has the experience to contain the disease, citing the successful containment of Ebola in 2014.