Nigeria Confirms First Ebola Case in Traveler From Uganda

October 21, 2026 — Nigeria has confirmed a case of Ebola (Bundibugyo virus disease) in its capital, Abuja, in a traveler who flew in from Uganda. It is the first West African country to report a case linked to the current regional outbreak, and the US Embassy has issued a health alert.

What happened

The Nigerian government reported the case on October 20. According to the Ministry of Health, the patient traveled by air from Uganda, the US Embassy said.
Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate confirmed the diagnosis. The patient, a woman, is hospitalized and isolated, and authorities have identified 44 close contacts for tracing and monitoring, ITIJ reported.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said travelers arriving from countries with active Ebola transmission “may be required to complete health declaration forms.”
The US Embassy in Abuja issued a health alert dated October 20 and published October 21. It does not mention entry screening, quarantine rules or travel restrictions.

What the US Embassy recommends

Review the CDC’s Ebola information and the CDC Travelers’ Health page for Nigeria.
If you may have been exposed and develop symptoms, call a healthcare provider before going in for care.
Keep taking malaria prevention medicine as prescribed, because malaria symptoms can look like Ebola.
Monitor your health for 21 days after visiting an area with an Ebola outbreak.
Check that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation.

Embassy contacts: US Embassy Abuja +234 209 461 4000; US Consulate General Lagos +234 201 460 3400; State Department +1-888-407-4747 (from the US/Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (overseas).

What it means for airline travelers

Be ready for health paperwork. If your trip to Nigeria connects through or starts in a country with Ebola transmission, expect you may be asked for a health declaration on arrival. Allow extra time at the airport.
Watch for changes at home. Health checks for travelers returning to the US or Canada can change quickly. Check the CDC and the Public Health Agency of Canada before you return.
Talk to a travel clinic before you go, and read the official notices rather than social media. Don’t skip your malaria prevention.
Insurance: Confirm your policy covers medical evacuation from Nigeria, and have a backup plan in case standby options shrink at short notice.
Register with STEP (US) or Registration of Canadians Abroad so you get updates.

Sources

US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria — “Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Abuja, Nigeria (October 20, 2026)”: ng.usembassy.gov
ITIJ — “Ebola update: Nigeria confirms virus case as Kenya reports ninth infection” (October 21, 2026): itij.com
CDC — Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation: cdc.gov