‘It Has Gotten Worse’ — NCDC Gives Update on Ebola Patient’s Condition

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has disclosed that the condition of the Ebola patient receiving treatment in Abuja has deteriorated to multi-organ failure.

The Director of Public Health Laboratory Services at the NCDC, Olajumoke Babatunde, disclosed this during an emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, confirming that the patient is a diplomat.

Babatunde said laboratory tests confirmed that the patient was infected with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. She explained that the diagnosis was established after three levels of molecular testing.

“The patient’s condition has deteriorated. We did three levels of tests, but all were molecular. The strain was Bundibugyo,” she said.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed the strain and stated that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for it.

The female patient reportedly travelled from Uganda to Abuja on October 3, 2026. She began developing symptoms on October 7 and presented at a private hospital on October 11, where she was initially treated for symptoms resembling malaria.

The NCDC’s incident manager, Dr Odianosen Ehiakhamen, provided details of the timeline, explaining that the patient’s symptoms began several days before she sought medical attention.

Following the confirmation of the infection, the patient was moved to an isolation facility, where she is receiving medical care.

The NCDC said 44 close contacts had been identified and were being monitored. They include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and individuals who may have had contact with the patient during her journey.

Health authorities have intensified surveillance and contact-tracing efforts to identify potential exposures and prevent further transmission.

The agency has continued to coordinate with relevant health authorities as monitoring and response measures are strengthened.