The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a health advisory to American citizens in the country after the Federal Government confirmed a case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a rare strain of Ebola.
In a statement published on its official X handle on Wednesday, the mission noted that Nigerian health authorities are actively conducting contact tracing and implementing public health containment protocols following the detected case.
The advisory highlighted official reports from the Nigerian government indicating that the infected individual had recently arrived on a flight from Uganda.
U.S. citizens and international travelers were advised to consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for detailed information regarding Ebola and specific health guidance while residing in or traveling to Nigeria.
Additionally, the alert cautioned those who may have been exposed to the virus to consult a doctor if they had signs of the illness.
“If at risk for Ebola, alert your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola to receive guidance prior to presenting for care,” the mission stated.
The mission also cautioned travellers that malaria symptoms could mimic those of Ebola and cause unwarranted concern, advising them to continue taking malaria preventative medicine as directed by their physicians.
Backstory…
Nigeria confirmed its first imported case of the disease in more than a decade on October 20, 2026, after a woman who had recently travelled from Uganda tested positive in the Federal Capital Territory. The patient was isolated for treatment, while health authorities identified 44 close contacts and began monitoring them to prevent further spread.
The development has prompted heightened surveillance and renewed public health precautions, particularly for travellers arriving from affected countries.
The World Health Organisation and Nigerian health authorities are working to trace potential exposures and strengthen measures to contain the infection.
Read Also: FG confirms first Ebola case in FCT, Warns Residents
