Ebola’s Return: 2014 Triumph Faces the Test of 2026

On October 20, 2026, Nigeria confirmed an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in Abuja involving a woman recently returned from Uganda. The health minister said she developed symptoms on October 7, sought care at a private facility on October 11 and tested positive on October 20; she was isolated, and 44 contacts were identified for monitoring. The case raises questions about Nigeria’s readiness, 12 years after WHO declared the country Ebola-free following an outbreak of 20 cases and eight deaths that was contained through surveillance, isolation and contact tracing.