Nigeria’s Federal Government has announced that genomic analysis shows the Ebola virus detected in a confirmed case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is genetically related to the virus identified in a case in Kenya, although a direct transmission link has not been established.
In an update issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the findings provide important scientific information but stressed that further investigations are needed to determine whether the two cases are epidemiologically linked.
The genomic analysis was conducted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in collaboration with the Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH) at Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State, under the leadership of Professor Christian Happi.
Professor Pate commended the institutions for the speed and scientific rigour of their work, while cautioning against drawing premature conclusions from the findings.
He emphasised that genetic similarities between viruses do not, on their own, prove that one case directly transmitted the infection to the other.
The Nigerian government said individuals identified as contacts of the confirmed case remain under active monitoring, with some already testing negative while results for others are still pending.
Authorities are strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, case management, risk communication and infection prevention and control measures to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Healthcare facilities have also been directed to promptly identify and report suspected Ebola cases to public health authorities.
Additional training and sensitisation programmes are being rolled out to equip healthcare workers with the knowledge needed to implement response protocols effectively.
In a related development, the NCDC Director General announced that the agency would begin issuing brief daily public updates from Saturday, October 24, to keep Nigerians informed as the situation evolves.
The updates will provide regular information in line with the agency’s public health communication guidelines.
Professor Pate urged Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant, observe recommended safety precautions and rely on verified information from recognised health authorities.
He also warned against spreading misinformation and unverified reports, advising the public to follow updates from the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to containing the outbreak, protecting healthcare workers and preventing further transmission, while calling for cooperation from the public and other stakeholders.
The reported genetic relationship between the Nigerian and Kenyan cases raises the importance of continued scientific investigation and cross-border disease surveillance. However, authorities have yet to establish whether the cases are directly connected.
