By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Federal Government has launched further investigations into a possible epidemiological connection between Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and a case identified in Kenya.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Saturday, following genomic analysis that showed the virus detected in Nigeria was genetically related to the strain identified in Kenya.
Pate, however, cautioned that the scientific finding does not automatically establish a direct link between the two cases, stressing that additional investigations are required to determine whether they are epidemiologically connected.
According to him, 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, Ede, under the leadership of Professor Christian Happi.
The minister commended both institutions for their prompt response and scientific rigour, describing the findings as an important contribution to understanding the virus.
On efforts to contain the disease, Pate said contacts identified in connection with the confirmed case remained under active monitoring.
He explained that some of the contacts had tested negative, while the results of others were still being awaited.
The minister added that the Federal Government was strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, case management, public communication and infection prevention measures as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
He said healthcare facilities had also been directed to identify and promptly report suspected cases to relevant public health authorities.
Additional training and sensitisation programmes for healthcare workers are expected to support the implementation of established response protocols, he added.
Pate further disclosed that the NCDC would begin issuing brief daily updates on the situation from October 24, 2026, to keep Nigerians informed about developments.
He urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant, adhere to recommended safety precautions and rely on verified information from recognised health authorities.
The minister also warned against spreading misinformation and unverified reports, advising the public to obtain updates from the NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
He reiterated that further investigations would be necessary to establish whether the genetic relationship between the viruses translates into a direct epidemiological connection between the cases.
