The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised countries against imposing travel or trade restrictions on nations affected by the Ebola outbreak, as Nigeria confirms an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement on Tuesday, WHO said it was monitoring measures introduced by countries in response to the outbreak and would verify travel and trade restrictions where necessary.
“WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, affected countries,” the organisation said.
Nigeria has become the fifth country to detect the virus since an outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on May 15, 2026.
Nigeria Confirms Imported Ebola Case
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, said on Tuesday that the confirmed case involved a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria from Uganda.
According to Pate, the patient’s symptoms began on October 7, four days after she arrived in Nigeria. She sought medical attention at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11, while laboratory tests confirmed the infection on October 20.
He said the patient was in isolation and receiving medical care, while investigations were ongoing to establish the likely source of infection, trace her movements and identify people who had contact with her.
The ministry said 44 contacts had been identified and were being monitored.
Authorities have also strengthened infection prevention and control measures at the health facility where the patient received treatment.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has activated its incident management system to coordinate the national response.
WHO Supports Nigeria’s Ebola Response
WHO said it was supporting Nigerian health authorities with case investigations, contact tracing, infection prevention and control measures, and the provision of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment for health workers.
The organisation also urged countries in the region to maintain heightened surveillance and preparedness as the outbreak in the DRC continues to evolve.
Kenya has reported nine cases linked to an imported case in recent weeks, according to the report.
WHO called on countries to strengthen disease surveillance, ensure laboratories can safely test suspected cases, prepare rapid-response and clinical teams, and reinforce infection prevention measures in public and private health facilities.
It also advised governments to maintain adequate essential supplies, engage communities and strengthen monitoring at points of entry.
The organisation said it was regularly reviewing its assessment of the outbreak’s risks to incorporate new developments.
US Issues Travel Advisory Over Ebola Risk
On Monday, the United States advised its citizens to reconsider travel to Kenya because of the risks posed by Ebola and other security concerns.
The advisory comes amid concerns about the spread of the disease and its potential implications for international travel.
CNN international correspondent Larry Madowo also said on Tuesday that he had been denied a visa to El Salvador over concerns about Ebola in Kenya.
Madowo, who is Kenyan, said El Salvador had barred citizens of eight African countries from entering its territory, including Ethiopia, Angola, the DRC, Burundi and the Central African Republic.
The restrictions contrast with WHO’s advice against imposing travel and trade restrictions on countries affected by the outbreak.
The organisation continues to urge governments to prioritise surveillance, preparedness and public health measures as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
