Uganda Denies Active Ebola Outbreak After Nigeria Confirms Case

Uganda has denied having an active Ebola outbreak after Nigeria confirmed an infection in the Federal Capital Territory, saying the patient’s travel through the East African country does not establish where she contracted the virus.

Uganda’s Ministry of Health said in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, that it had no confirmed active Ebola cases and that investigations were needed to establish the likely source of the Nigerian patient’s infection.

The clarification followed Nigeria’s confirmation of an Ebola case on October 20 after laboratory tests returned positive for the virus.

According to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in the country on an international flight from Uganda. She had received treatment at a private hospital in the FCT before her infection was confirmed.

The ministry said the patient was in isolation and receiving medical care, while public health authorities had identified 44 close contacts for monitoring.

Uganda said preliminary information indicated that the woman had travelled through its territory in early October without symptoms and developed symptoms after arriving in Nigeria.

The country’s health authorities stressed that travelling through Uganda was not sufficient evidence to establish that the infection originated there.

They also called for detailed information about the woman’s travel itinerary and clinical history to help determine where she may have been exposed to the virus.

Uganda recorded Ebola infections earlier in 2026 but subsequently declared the outbreak over after completing the required response measures. Its health ministry said it was strengthening screening and public health controls at points of entry following the latest development.

The WHO confirmed Nigeria’s case as an infection caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a variant responsible for an ongoing outbreak that began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 2026.

The global health agency said investigations were continuing to establish the likely source of the Nigerian patient’s infection and reconstruct her travel and exposure history.

The WHO also said Nigeria’s disease control agency had activated its incident management system, with public health partners supporting contact tracing and infection prevention measures.

Nigeria’s health authorities have urged public and private hospitals to remain vigilant, promptly isolate suspected cases and strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The investigation into the patient’s movements and possible exposure remains important to determining where the infection occurred and whether additional public health measures are necessary.