The diplomat diagnosed with the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in Abuja has deteriorated into multi-organ failure, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed at an emergency meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2026. Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate stated that 44 close contacts have been identified, with tracing already underway.
NCDC Confirms Multi-Organ Failure in Ebola Patient
Olajumoke Babatunde, Director of Public Health Laboratory Service at the NCDC, disclosed the patient's worsening condition at the emergency agency meeting in Abuja. She noted that the Bundibugyo strain is the same one driving the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The diplomat's name and nationality have not been released to the public.
"The patient's condition has deteriorated. We did three levels of tests, but all were molecular. The strain was Bundibugyo," Babatunde said, as reported by The Punch. The NCDC added that three separate rounds of molecular testing were used to confirm the diagnosis.
Understanding the Bundibugyo Strain
The Bundibugyo virus is a rare member of the Ebola virus family, first identified during a 2007 outbreak in Uganda. Like other Ebola strains, it spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person, or through contaminated materials. It does not spread through casual contact with someone who is not showing symptoms.
The NCDC has also listed key symptoms of Ebola disease and urged the public to practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with body fluids.
Federal Government Urges Calm, Confirms Uganda Collaboration
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, addressed journalists on Wednesday evening at the Presidential Villa after a meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Pate said the government is working closely with Uganda, which is managing its own active outbreak, to track contacts and prevent further transmission.
"We are collaborating with our sister African nation of Uganda. What is important is that we have found this one case. We are doing contact tracing, and we are putting containment measures to ensure that it doesn't go into our population," he said.
The minister also urged Nigerians to stay calm, noting that the country had successfully managed an Ebola outbreak in 2014. "We must be vigilant, but not panic. People should respect public health information from trusted sources and not spread misinformation and false rumours," Pate added. He promised daily updates as new information became available.
States Activate Emergency Measures
Several states have since activated emergency protocols. Anambra said it had followed up 40 persons of interest, with 33 cleared after completing their monitoring period and seven still under active surveillance as of October 20, 2026. Niger State has placed its health system on high alert, activated emergency operations, and is completing an isolation centre. Ogun State is currently tracing 111 persons of interest.
The Federal Government activated surveillance and response efforts through the NCDC and relevant health authorities following the confirmation of the Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on October 21, 2026. Nigerians raised concerns online about delayed detection and the absence of information on the patient's travel history from DRC.
